Saturday, 25th September 2010
The weather is very unsettled here for this time of the year. Its caused by "The Indian Ocean Dipole", this is where the waters around the Cocos Islands and the South Indian Ocean are warmer than normal. The weather forecast for the coming week is talking about the possibility of gales, possibility! North of our rum line. The result of all of this is some boats will leave today and others will leave tomorrow and the remaining on Monday, when we were all supposed to go in the first instance. Rally Control have decided to abandon the start on Monday and let people decide to go when they feel ready.
Skipper decided we would not leave until Monday, as all this possible strong wind and gales is only a possibility, and from experience, we have seen these things change so quickly and the dangers disappear. Back to reality, we spent most of the day fixing bits and pieces, particularly the overflow container for the generator's coolant.
Later we all went ashore for a swim and skipper snorkeled the Pass, where there were lot of different types of fish, turtles, star fish crabs and shell fish, there were lots of different types of sharks there also for good measure. We relaxed on the beach for a few hours and had a bottle of champagne to ease the pain of the day.
Later, we returned to the boat and had a roast rack of lamb for dinner. All in all, we had a good day.
Oh, it seems that a photograph of " A Lady " with her torn KITE will appear in Yachting World, the next issue.
That's all for now.
Signed :- Stephen Hyde (Skipper)