Editor: IRWW
Good morning Vietnam …
Thankfully we’re not there, but hopefully you’ll get my drift.
Yesterday was a strange one as it was dominated by two words, Pina Colada. This came from the most unlikely member of the crew, Stuart Ashton. Stuart who is not known for his boozing kept repeating his desire for a bucket of his cocktail of choice. Maybe he can smell the Palm Trees of St Lucia, if so he has impressive nostrils as we are virtually mid Atlantic. Yes that’s the story (morning glory)10 days in and we’re virtually half way there.
Poor Stuart, not only was he starved of liquor but he lost the nightly game of Spoof where the looser was the only person not to receive a chocolate biscuit; Stuart’s food of choice. Generously, Simon donated his, so bedtime tears were averted.
Back to the sailing, the wind continues to be behind us and the Spinny remains up . Without it we would wallow and struggle for progress.
We continue to dance a delicate line endeavouring to stay in the light trade winds, miss the looming high pressure to our north and simultaneously head in the right direction. So far we seem to be just about managing and even CJ seems reasonably content given the circumstances.
Last night I had the pleasure of the Dog Watch, 3am - 5am, tricky as it’s time to get up just as you’ve settled into some sort of sleep. So I relieved Simon and spent the early morning taming the red Spinny that glowed in front of me, illuminated by the full moon that has accompanied us for most of the journey. To be fair, it’s a magical time . Alone with the moon, the stars and the ocean. Last night I had the pleasure of The Greatest Rock n Roll band in the world for some company, couldn’t be better.
In mid Atlantic we are probably further from civilisation than any of us has been, quite something and weirdly quite comforting. All on board have read various tales from mariners and yachtsman and I think we’re all resonating with their thoughts and experiences as they crossed these vast expanses of ocean. Difficult to put into words but feelings that we have probably all yearned for and so far have lived up to any expectations we may have harboured; having said that we haven’t had the Atlantic's full fury thrown at as - Fingers Crossed.
We’ve discovered that routine on board is a good idea. Making sure we eat at the conventional times is a good way of keeping a pattern. On the day this slipped due to squalls coming through, we lost the pleasant rhythm that we have going on board. I doubt you’ll believe this, but by the time you’ve got up, exercised, showered, chatted, breakfasted, blogged (or read), lunched, chatted, completed your watch, chatted, slept, had dinner, chatted, spoofed, washed up, chatted; it’s time for bed and shortly you’re on watch again … Where does the time go ?
Talking of which, it’s time for me to relieve Simon at the helm once again. As I write it’s just past noon: 2 are asleep and 2 are chatting; I rest my case.
Best wishes and love to all from me and all on Freedom xxxxx