Some time during night one, the Jockey Pole disappeared.
I don't think that Norfy is hiding the Jockey Pole in his cabin, and Elizabeth swears it's not in the aft cabin either. In that case, I wonder what use Davy Jones is putting it to? It was not discovered until yesterday afternoon, but some time during the night of 10th March, the almost brand new and little-used Jockey Pole disappeared. As soon as the absence of the pole was noticed, Forensics were called. Wearing their characteristic white coveralls, they searched dilligently for clues, and immediately the Skipper was placed under close arrest on suspicion of negligence and possible carelessness. Having dusted for fingerprints and taken plaster casts of all shoes (and bare feet) on board, and questioned all and sundry for about 5 seconds each, it soon became clear; the pole had fallen overboard at some time during the night. Possibly it had been kicked by a passing sandal, but more likely it was simply the motion of the boat (it had been a little choppy at times) that had sent the pole rolling overboard. So its gone - another 0.25 SBYU*s tossed into the drink. And the lesson learnt? Everything stowed on deck needs to be lashed on. And did we know that before? Well I leave you to guess.
Apart from that, we have had some unexpectedly great sailing, shared by the rest of the fleet too. Contrary to expectatioins, the wind was from the SW, gradually backing to the SE, and between 10 and about 15 knots true. Heading SW, this has been very much to Cleone and her crew's liking, and assisted by a favourable current (where on earth, no at sea, did that come from? - Ed) we have made more than six knots over the ground. Fantastic; lets hope the next Commander's Weather forecast, due in later on today, will give us more of the same.
Meanwhile, all well, beer and food holding out (just - it was getting a little difficult to find beers in the fridge, and a couple of cans have not survived well in the hold and had to be ditched; very worrying - Ed), and morale in the sunshine remains high. The only blot was a lot of swearing whilst the engine received its 500 hour service. Neverthess, after a suitable dose of Duckhams (that's the only green oil you can buy - Ed) the engine is back to its old sweet self, charging the batteries in time for this morning's radio schedule, even as I write.
Wishing all of you all the best, and hoping that Rosie's trip to Madeira with Toots, her father, has got off to a great start.
James, Chris & Elizabeth
Yacht Cleone
At sea
03.06S 93.34W
*SBYU: Standard British Yacht Unit, sometimes referred to as a YU. A measure of currency. The SBYU is currently stands at £1000.