What a difference! The wind has dropped to 15-20 knots,
the sea is somewhat calmer and we have been able to relax into the sailing a bit
more.
We have all developed rather an unusual posture for
moving around Maalu IV; essentially a very wide base with bent knees to keep the
centre of gravity low and outstretched arm ready to latch onto the nearest grab
rail or break a fall! It may not look pretty but it is reducing the acquisition
rate of new bruises. I am not sure which physique is best on a boat. I have
a low centre of gravity but short arms whereas Jono at 6'1'' has a high centre
of gravity but long arms. Judging from my bruises it is better to be tall and
gangly however I am sure that a scientific study would answer this important
question.
Moving around the galley is altogether different. It is
a narrow corridor with all the working surfaces on one side. I have developed a
slow crab like sideways shuffle until Maalu IV falls off a wave, the food
goes flying in all directions and I turn into a whirling dervish trying to
retrieve everything before too much damage is caused. The gas cooker sits in the
middle of the corridor and gives the added fun of avoiding scalds. I always wear
shoes and a fetching full length red and white plastic apron when
cooking.
In the last 24 hours we have all grown 2 inches as we
are standing more upright in the improved conditions. It has also meant that
after three days of abandoning attempts to cook from scratch I am able to
salvage some of the remaining fresh fruit and vegetables. The glut of ripened
bananas became banana pancakes (a much thicker banana based concoction which has
less propensity to head for the floor) and banana bread. Supper used the
aubergines in a pasta based dish. In fact supper became our delayed 'half way
celebration dinner'. Jono made an Oreo cheesecake which has to be the sickliest
pudding that I have eaten in a long time! The Ninj is back in action, the bread
maker has resurfaced and the chef has redeemed herself today.
We celebrated reaching the last 1000 miles to go at 6
am, which coincided with Jono and I handing over to Nicholas, so we had a brief
celebration with high fives and fist pumping before collapsing in our
berths.
Now, as the sun is setting on another glorious day of
sailing we have three sails out and are making a steady 7-8 knots towards St
Lucia. We are covering about 160 miles a day and are beginning to believe that
we may make Rodney Bay by Friday - only 6 more night watches to go!
m_Jono celebration pud