Kelpie - Wednesday 5 December 2018

> 15:02.6N 51:42.5W
>
> A day of progress westwards then south, alternately reaching ENE then
> running WSW across the Rhumb line, leaving a wake that whilst some on
> board describe as scalloping our way across the Atlantic, the Skipper
> describes as resembling an old factory roof. Lowry is strong in that one.
>
> We remain top three on handicap and it's notable that the fleet's four
> heavier displacement, longer keel boats hold all of the top four places:
> we are in the right boat, and no matter any misgivings about tackling that
> leg of Serrano ham. We are still be rolling as much as previously
> described - one reader will remember coining the phrase 'like a sock in a
> tumble dryer' - but we are inured to that now and pushing for the finish.
> In lighter winds yesterday's noon-to-noon run was only 147 miles, but the
> third best in the fleet. Sargassum is everywhere and a significant
> hindrance, though we've become quicker at clearing it from the Hydrovane
> rudder. After this morning's dip a major treat was bacon and egg
> sandwiches with homemade rolls, cooked at great personal cost by Sarah in
> a hot, airless, rolly galley.
>
> We certainly have had some jolly times with instrument irregularities
> since, um, Plymouth, and were sad when the only one left working this
> morning was the Windex, which as you know doesn't have many buttons for
> the crew to play with. However, after a lengthy bout of furious
> concentration and repair, the Skipper has fixed them all.
>
> Away from matters vital to survival, as the moon has waned to almost
> nothing we have all enjoyed fabulous night skies, with every star and
> planet clear and the Milky Way wrapped diagonally around our starboard
> side. The Skipper's knowledge of astronomy is considerable and his
> enthusiasm is quite infectious. Why, only the other night using start
> charts and binoculars he managed a rare sight of the wonderful galaxy
> Andromeda, though the crew only observed its slightly shabbier sister
> galaxy Chlamydia.
>
> This evening we will have a mere quarter of the voyage left - 525 miles -
> and hope to arrive during Sunday.
>
> With best wishes from all on Kelpie.
>
> Andrew