friday on Akarana
Akarana
Graham Deegan
Fri 4 Dec 2009 23:01
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the day started with the daily service and the
Preachers thought for the day. This proved to be so politically incorrect that
it has been sensored by the skipper nipper.
skippers briefing starts with the cabin boy taking
skippers tea to him ahead of the watch leaders formal daily brief.We were warned
to expect wind rain and sun which proved to be correct.Health and safety
brought Doc,s abandonment of his faithful life jacket into focus. he now
wears it religiously.several members of the crew have had the same medical
symptons, handus splinterous. This is caused by crawling around on all
fours on the wooden decks and only wearing one pair of shoes. the Doc noted the
crew were evolving with some crew now balancing for long periods just on their
hind legs.
We have made a radio friend A Lady a 61ft OYSTER.
we speak to an Irish guy who tells us "the weather is shite" so they motored for
14 hrs yesterday. Today he informed us he had to go as the pink gin for happy
hour was being served.
The sailing has been good with 15 kn breeze, lots
of sunshine but strangely, to date, none at night.Squalls are always a threat.
Today a big black cloud headed for us the wind rose from 14 kn and we started to
get in positions ready for the call to arms. wind at 30 kn and very heavy rain
followed. the kite came down ,snuffed with ease, jib was set and we ran with the
30 kn for 15 to 20 minutes and all returned to normal.
Gybing around the two inner forestays is like a
mariners barn dance. We gybe often and are beginnning to look like we know what
we are doing. We change kites several times a day. today the 0.5 was the hero
being the largest area in relatively benign conditions.
We are about 3 days from St Lucia. we will keep
blogging.
The six old boys
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