BattPack Log Day 13 - Dec 7th -Rex and I did the
10:00-1:00 shift and it was lovely to share the shift with him. We talked about
anything and everything under the starlit sky. We saw an incredible shooting
star which shot right across the sky. The glorious peace is one of the most
magical things about night shifts. That, the twinkling array of stars and the
phosphoresence which sparkles in the wake alongside out boat. It feels like
there is magic all around.
We awoke to the glimmer of a rainbow to the starboard
side of our boat. She came in the wake of a couple of squalls, which hit the
later night shifts. Today we are in between squalls and calm. In a moment of
calm, Rex proposed that this was the most settled weather we would get and it
was time to fly his drone and take some aerial footage of the boat. We had
discussed him flying his beloved drone on a day where we were becalmed, yet that
day hasn't come and neither is it forecast. So, we agreed that a calm window
today looked like the best bet. We were still doing 3-4kts and so landing the
drone on the boat (an essential) was the dicey part! The plan was for Rex to aim
it as best he could and Jay throw a blanket over it to smother it when it got
close, shutting off the motors on first contact. Rex got the drone flying
with some concern about landing it on a moving target, he had previously only
landed it on a stationary target in light winds. I held him steady as the boat
was rocking and rolling - his body was shaking with the tension. He took the
footage and then it was landing time. It was much harder than he thought and in
the end, a crash landing was all that was possible - the drone hit the fly deck,
skidded down the port side of the boat before coming to it's final landing place
right on the front edge of the port bow - it was scooped up just in time by
Alex! Phew! Jubilation! The photographs are excellent and the video footage just
amazing -nothing but BattPack, a whole lot of sea and sky -the vista is so vast
that you can actually see the curvature of the Earth! Well done dear Rex,
excellent flying skills in adverse conditions and a special mention to how well
you handled the stress darling boy!
It is Friday, or Fri-yay as Liberty calls it! This
afternoon brought two treats- another stunning rainbow, a full double arc-
spellbinding! In addition, we were visited by the pirate Little Jonny Naughty!
He magically hides sweets for the kids every Friday that we are on the
boat. We have dear Granny Batt to thank for him. In 2008 when we bought BattCat,
Granny Batt came onboard and before we knew it, there were gold coins hidden in
the cabins -much to 3 and 4 year old Rex and Ruby's delight! She claimed it was
the work of Little Jonny Naughty! Here started the tradition and the kids are
thrilled that he manages to find our boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!
Liberty is convinced that the magical phosphoresence has something to do
with it. Happily aboard with his sweetie treasure haul, Jago has just declared
that "Life is Brilliant!"
174 miles done in the last 24 hours.
BattPack Log Day 14 - Dec 8th - A peaceful day and not
much to report. The wind has dropped right off and the seas are the calmest
that we have had. It isn't really ideal as we are all keen to get to St Lucia at
this stage and despite enjoying the relaxing motion, we want to increase our
speed! Our ETA is 5 days time- we expect to arrive by mid afternoon on Thursday
13th December. Just in time for Rex's 14th birthday on the
14th!
Jago's tooth comes out today - it has been hanging on a
thread for a while! He wonders if the tooth fairy will find him in the middle of
the ocean?!
We have the 3rd shower of the trip this afternoon.
Heavenly to be clean! Never again shall we take a luxurious daily hot
shower or bath for granted - never!! We dream of the things that we shall enjoy
in St Lucia - hot showers, pizza and ice-cream top the list! For tonight a Thai
Curry will have to do!
157 miles covered in the last 24 hours. 5 more days to
go....!