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Poespas - day 8



Day 8

Yet another day at sea for us. Last night we decided to change our heading somewhat in order to give everyone a good night's rest after more than 36 hours of running downwind which turned out a tad rolly. So we gybed the genoa and set off in a WSW direction on a broad reach, under reefed genoa, main and mizzen. Whilst there was indeed less rolling, we were nearly caught out a few times by rogue waves. One of us on night watch thought he was hallucinating, seeing flashing lights. Turned out to be the automatic light attached to the life buoy that had activated itself, by having been temporarily immersed.

So this morning we set course due west again. What a right decision that proved to be! It put us right onto the great circle track to St Lucia, and as the day progressed, the sea became calmer, the winds abated somewhat, and towards sunset we were sailing in nigh on paradise conditions, hurdling forward to our ultimate destination at speeds of up to 9.5 knots. At this rate yours truly will easily win the bet with his crew on total elapsed crossing time…

The day was very nicely ended with a delicious lentil stew with Spanish sausage, conjured up by our ship's medic, washed down with the odd glass of Spanish red and white. Desert was all 5 of us mustered in the cockpit, in total darkness, the only illumination provided by the glow of the chart plotter and the wind instruments, accompanied by the other worldly music of the AfroCelts. All that was missing were the habitual billions of stars and the phosphorescent silhouettes of dolphins guiding our way at the bow. But watch this space… What a perfect ending to day 8! If only all sailing could be like this.

Roger

That'd be Tuesday 4th December to you

Now sorry to go on, see previous logs, but this wind acceleration zone "south of the Airport "…… how far south is that exactly? We are currently at 17°43n. 33°42w and some 1100m south of the airport and today we had steady 25-28 knots gusting up to nearly 40…so we've gone more westerly to see if that helps.

Hold the front page…… late news just in……. we think we may have identified UFO fish (see previous log) according to "A field Guide To Coral Reef Fishes (of the indian and west pacific oceans)…… I know what you're thinking, but we can't just pop down the library. It could well be the Dolphinfish, Dorade or Mahi Mahi "spectacular sporting fishes of great speed and beauty" very true.

We have found that the quarter deck is the best place for dispatching and cleaning our prey, so along with the pigs leg is turning into an excellent out door pantry.

Made milk bread today, with added honey, lovely…. Hit the sweet tooth spot.

Pigs leg came down for trimming so Axel could make evening Tapas… back up now….. all is in order

The following is to be read out loud especially if you have younger children. It should be read in the voice of a pirate (see nautical theme) with gravely gravitas:

Young boy say's to Blackbeard "why are you called Pirates" ?
Pirate ( deeper Voice ) 'Cos we AAaarrrrrggggghhhhh……

I love that one
Mike…..over


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