Helen - Last Blog but one

We have sailed for all of the last 24 hours and now have only 290 miles to go. Thursday morning across the finish line still looks good.

One of the much debated aspects of ocean crossing is how to manage the watch system. We are a boat of five humans and an Iguana, the responsibilities have been allocated:

1 crew member has had the mother watch, in charge of everything in the galley, with the opportunity of a full night's sleep.

I have joined the captain on each of his watches so there have been 4 watch leaders. The watches have been of 3 hours duration and rotated: A,B,C,D,A,B,C..............

In addition we have what is known as the dog watch between 6 and 9 at night when we get together for dinner. These are only 1.5 hour watches and then you pass the watch to the next person.

The advantage of a dog watch system is that with 4 watch leaders your night watch changes each night. It's a system that has worked for us.

I mentioned the other day that the captain is a genuine "son of a son of a sailor", so I have found him a song:

"As the son of a son of a sailor.
I went out on the sea for adventure.
Expanding the view of the captain and crew like a man who is released from indenture.
As a dreamer of dreams and a travelling man, I've chalked up many a mile .
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks and I learnt much from both of their style.

Son of a son, son of a son of a sailor.

You've got to haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind, as our forefathers harnessed before us.
Hear the bells ring and rise for that watch before you.

Son of a son, son of a son of a sailor.

So where this all ends, I can't fathom my friend, if I knew I might toss out my anchor.
But I will cruise along always searching for song.
Not an Actuary, Engineer or Banker.

Son of a son, son of a son of a sailor.

Sail on captain.
Sail on Ed."

One full day left for me on Yacht Helen.
Please sponsor those kids in Mindelo.

Ed the Iguana,
On the way to the Galapogos,
(With apologies to Jimmy Buffett!)


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