can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Starblazer - 29/01/2016 – Que sera, sera!



Concerning our ETA in Brazil the words of this song dating. I suspect, from
the 50’s are accurate: ‘Whatever will be, will be; the future’s not ours to
see.’ This leg started with three days of sailing but the winds became
weaker and weaker, our speed dropped, we were in danger of arriving too late
in Brazil. We made the decision to motor to avoid a DNF, we motored for
21/2 days before the wind increased enough to give us a chance of sailing
the rest of the way in the allotted time. Since then we have been sailing.
For two days our ETA looked to be late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday
morning. Yesterday morning the weather changed. First of all there were
light showers but with squally gusts of wind and Starblazer started flying.
During the day the weather cleared but the wind steadied in the 18-22 knot
range resulting in a day’s run of 167 nM towards the waypoint, or just one
mile short of a 7 knot average speed. When we were charging along at 7.5
knots we calculated that we could arrive Monday morning, earlier than the
time John put down for the fun competition. During the early hours of today
the wind dropped again but my 0500-0800 watch seems to be the catalyst for a
change in the conditions: showers, increased winds, some strong gusts and
much improved boat speed. As I commented at the beginning, que sera, sera!
We will arrive. We are just not sure which day.

Life on board meanders on. There is not a lot to do except domestic chores
like the washing and cooking. John has had a fairly boring passage with no
problems to solve or fix, but I‘ve almost certainly jinxed that now. Lunch
was a couscous, carrot, apple and tomato salad with lettuce and sausages,
dinner was lamb chops with mashed potatoes, carrots and cabbage. We still
await a fish supper. Can someone please tell the fish that Friday is
traditionally ‘fish’ day; so we would be most obliged if one could throw
itself onto the hook we will be trolling behind us once John gets up soon
after 0800.

The chocolate sultana bars were excellent I feel another cooking morning
coming on. More tomorrow.

Joyce


Previous | Next