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NoStress - Log Day 5 - Soggy Bottoms



It was a frustrating night at sea last night. Little or no wind and a rolling swell meant the boat (and contents) were rattled like a snow-globe in a toddler’s hands for about 5 hours. The coffee machine made a bid for freedom and Paul had his first intake of non-fermented grapes for a long time as fruit fell onto him from the storage nets.

Eventually the wind arrived. It started on the nose again but has gradually shifted to afford us the chance to make some much needed progress West. The breeze built steadily through the day and we expect to follow our current course for another day or so until we encounter the next weather system. It’s been a good day’s sailing.

Although “Jennie” remains quite fickle (with a lot of heel on a port tack we discovered she doesn’t like being bent over too far when she promptly conked out with a splutter), there were no technical hitches today. Sadly the same can’t be said of the galley. After battling with the bread maker and losing twice, both “Alex Hollywood” and “Clairey Berry” admitted defeat and our sad, dumpling-like attempts at loaves with soggy bottoms were consigned to, well, the soggy bottom. I don’t think we’ll be asked to appear in the “Great Atlantic Bake Off”. Thankfully master-baker Des was on hand to save the day and tonight’s dinner of chicken madras was served with delicious fresh rolls.

The crew’s post-dinner preparations for the evening watches were interrupted by an unfamiliar click and whirring from the back of the boat. After two days of silence, something was on the fishing line. Jake sprang to action eager to check if the new lure he’d attached earlier that afternoon would be successful. He immediately regretted letting out quite so much line as 2 minutes reeling in later and there was still nothing in sight. After another minute or so (and a pause to put on his sunglasses in case anyone was taking photos) he landed our first catch, a dorado - looks like tomorrow’s menu will include fish!

The crew are all in really good spirits tonight. Everyone’s really keen to make good progress and people are being diligent about their rest times as the team’s body clocks settle into new patterns. Bring on tomorrow and let the mile munching sailing continue!

Thank you to everyone who’s following our progress. Special thanks to Ian (get well soon by the way) for keeping us up to date with the weather, and to Ben for keeping our blogs online.

May none of you ever suffer the indignity of a soggy bottom,

Alex & the NoStress Crew



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