Hi,
These notes are made while Carol and I are on watch from 3 am till 6 am Saturday morning. Back home this watch is called "the dog’s watch”. Not because Yuki is lying next to me but because of the hours of the night.
Let me share some of many thoughts and activities that has happened during the last hours - few of many.
My alarm clock woke me up at 2 am. Got up after one snooze only!. Dressed up with very limited light on, as my “room mate” Tom had just finished his and Liv’s watch at midnight. Tom was therefore already a zzzzzzxzxz.
Dressed up with ski underwear and other warm clothes, as the night at sea does not reach 30 Celsius!. Due to the movements of the sea and therefore difficulties in standing up, I had to lie down on my bed to put on my trousers - just like a teenage girl would do do zip her way too small jeans.
Climbed the stairs to the cockpit and gave my military greetings with my left hand to Mark and David - the watch team to take over from. They were telling stories and jokes to each other as they always do. (Stories getting better and better the more times you hear them). I have started to call them Stan and Oliver without comparing them to any film characters.
Got Stan and Oliver’s orders for “two diet teas with little milk". Brew a coffee for myself and served them each a warm milk with a twist of tea followed by standard hand over/take over procedures.
Beautiful night. Dark but the sky full of stars. Carol tried too teach me some star formations but in vain. Followed by our usual discussion about US politics, real estate, x-mas celebrations a.o. Time certainly flies during a watch during which instruments are followed closely to watch out for wind changes and other yachts/ships at sea. (have not seen any other ship for more than two days now)
Yesterday was a fantastic day. Fabulous sun rise,sunshine and blue skies throughout the day. Perfect wind from East and the parasail functioning at its best from the top of the mast. 8-12 knots of wind, everyone on deck reading books, listening to music, chatting to each other or just sitting at the two G & T chairs at the rear of Mustique overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and its waves looking for dolphins, whales, mermaids or just nothing!
Lunch served by the Chef. A sandwich with corned beef. The Chef is a 100% look alike of Cpt Fin. A hidden one egg twin brother? As I have not seen the two together at the same time, I now start to believe that it is one and same person - the Cpt. I have therefore started top call the Chef “Gordon”! Not due to his look but due to the excellent 5 star standard of meals served every day.
Gordon tells that last night’s dinner was experimental. 3 different types of Canary Island sausages garnished with lentils, small pieces of potatoes, carrots and other delicate stuff. Dessert served at requests from the menu. No wonder all chose fruits salad with custard sauce. The British call it pudding. I call it just dam delicious!
It must be difficult for Chef Gordon to continue this high standard of meals, but I am sure he will. He has minimum 180 eggs 25 kilos of various meat and lots of other goodies hidden in the freezer or various spaces all over the boat.
Once every day the ARC organisers sends information about the weather, positions of the many boats and their rankings in the various classes. Always an exiting and challenging moment when received. Are we on the right course? which positions do other boats - our competitors - have as compared to us etc.
Yes “Mustique” is on the right course following Cpt’s decision to follow a very Northern route made SW of Canary Islands shortly after start.
At the same time and when receiving information sorry to learn that some boats have retired from the race and return to Las Palmas or other safe harbour. We feel sorry for you fellow sailors. You have spend months on preparations of your boats and filled yourselves with expectations to come to St. Lucia. Good luck next time and better safe than sorry.
Today - Saturday - is another day at sea. Yet another day of good sailing ahead of us, progress in milage done, excellent food, sleep or rest whenever possible, discussions and laughs. At noon we will start our 7th day of the trip.
Have fun back home. We have fun onboard “Mustique”
Tad & ship Ohoj
Anders
PS
1)
The beautiful sunset last night was at Cpt’s order celebrated with a glass of tonic water with lemonade and twists of “Bombay” - a sundowner. Well prepared and served by Stefan
2)
Last night we missed the change of time zone crossing by app 45 minutes. (crossing 30th longitude). The ceremony will be held today by adjusting our watches from from 6 pm to 5 pm.