Quasar V of Lleyn - log 26th January 2008
Monday 28th January
I FEEL HIGH AS A KITE RIGHT NOW
As at dawn on Monday morning and after 4 nights at sea we still have 583 nm
to go to the entrance to the Panama Canal (about half way). Its been a quiet
night with light winds with the average SOG (speed over the ground) around
5.5. Malcy wanted to put the engine on, but fortunately was dissuaded. We
can always do that later in the trip and make a good average speed motor
sailing, but I think the kite will be out of its bag before too long!
Sue has been researching songs for the Quasar choir (Lori, JB, Lindsey and
myself) to practice and what better one to start with than yesterday's
headline!
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world
A great song, which no doubt we will murder!
Sue bought me a karaoke gadget for Xmas to use on the boat, which we could
use as backing music for the choir, unfortunately I haven't yet learnt how
to use it. My last attempt was about 2 am after a dinner party we hosted and
perhaps not the best time to fathom new technology. I must try harder or
drink less!
I'm back and after 1 hour we have success with getting the karaoke machine
to play (I read the book!), but can't stand the sound of my own voice and
nor can anyone else!
(JB) Speaking of songs the title of today's log is part of the lyrics to
Elton John's rocket man - well go on sing it (not you Roberto)! Because that's
how we feel right now. And apart from that we have our own rocket man on
board - the one and only Malcolm Craig, skipper extraordinaire who has been
tirelessly working in all the cabins fitting fans, fitting a fan in the
galley and also fitting a red light in the galley, which is now known as the
"red light district" - the red light's only to be used at night. My gosh
can you see why it gets so hot on this boat.
I also have to report on the development of 2 factions on board the good
ship Quasar. Team Smoked Salmon and scrambled egg versus Team Frosties.
Yes that's right whilst the deck monkeys (Malcs and I) are rationed frosties
for breakfast the cockpit trio (Roberto, Lori and Bob) indulge in smoked
salmon and scrambled egg. They left the galley immaculate but it was the
pile of empty egg shells in the bin which first awakened my suspicion that
there had been foul play - or should I say fowl play given the number of
eggs that were used in their covert mission. Knowing Bob the salmon was
probably marinated in brandy over night for that extra kick.
On a high note, the kite (technical term spinnaker) is out playing to the
winds tunes and Quasar is slicing through the waves at a hearty pace of 9
knots. (JB out)
As well as being our music researcher, Sue is also taking delivery of spares
(out of her 20kg baggage allowance-restricted because of the internal
flights) to bring to the Galapagos (initial delivery from Lewmar). She has
dubbed herself 'Super Susan's Support Services.' She is currently on the
case for a new Johnson outboard handle (otherwise we may be doing rather a
lot of rowing!) She may not have much allowance left for clothes for her 10
days in Galapagos, but we can always lend her a few Quasar shirts and buy
her a bikini bottom!
US NAVY LINK TAIL END CHARLIES
(JB) Great excitement during the midday SSB broadcast as we spot on the
horizon on our port side a dot, which approached us and soon loomed in to
the shape of a US navy AWAC. It screamed over our mast and banked sharply
to starboard to make another run at us approaching from our stern. The
pilot called us up on Channel 16 "British Yacht, British Yacht".
Roberto took great delight in chatting to the pilot on the VHF and a little
bit of banter ensued with SSB duties temporarily abandoned (this all
happened as the net controller was calling all ARC boats for their positions
but clearly talking to an AWAC pilot was far more interesting!) The US pilot
was keen to know about the WARC rally and asked if we had an AIS
transmitter. No Robert replied, only a receiver, but we nearly bought one.
You should, he says, they are only about a 1,000 bucks! (Maybe so he didn't
have to fly close to identify us as a non-threatening target!). We told him
about most of the other boats being between 75 - 200 miles to the west of us
and off he sped in that direction only to return moments later advising us
that there was another of our little friends, another WARC boat 8 miles off
our starboard. Good luck messages were exchanged on both sides!
And there we were thinking we were the last in the fleet having started a
day late, hence the subtitle US navy links tail end Charlies! The other
yacht is Basia and we had a great chat with them, and relayed their position
on the SSB as they have been unable to give their position to date because
of problems with their SSB. I think we are pleased to have each other as
company and there have been several VHF "comfort chats" since! Basia is
having great problems with the batten pockets in her main and currently was
sailing only on a gennaker! (JB)
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