" A LADY TRIP " Sailing around the World, (presently sailing from the Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands )

A Lady
Stephen Hyde
Sun 14 Mar 2010 09:22
SATURDAY   13th   MARCH 2010
 
The skipper slept in the cockpit again , There is less pressure on the right shoulder when sleeping there, and anyway the fresh air is terrific.
 
01.30hrs  Aileen called Fats on deck for watch duties,
 
05.30 hrs the skipper took over watch, good breeze from the SE  at 19 / 20 knots, but the current was not as strong as it was.
 
Still concerned that the SSB radio is not working properly, we examine the cable on the backstay, this cable connects the ariel
on the backstay to the SSB tuning box in the Lazerette,  we discover black tape rapped around the cable abouy 2 feet above the deck,
We removed the tape to discover that the cable had been damaged at some point and someone covered up the damage with tape.
Of course the inside of the cable is completly rotten, its a wonder we get any reception at all.
However we cant do anything about that untill we get to " Papetee"  the capitol of Tahiti,
 
During the night , 27 flying fish landed on the deck ,plus 2 squid, that is a record for us,
Flying fish around here are like Starlings at home, we see them flying around all day.
 
Today was just wonderfull, Lovely breeze, blue seas, clear blue skies, and the cats me Aunt,
Again we just relaxed and read books, napped and snacked,
No booze, just snooze,
 
19.00hrs  Aileen did the dinner, Chicken curry and rice, very , very, tasty,
 Night watches :-    Aileen............   21.00hrs   to     00.00hrs
                            Skipper.............00.00hrs    to    04.30hrs
                            Fats.................04.30hrs     to    09.00hrs
 
23.00hrs We passed 3 trawlers, possibly tuna fishing and possibly Japaneese, It was dark and difficult to make out.
 
Thats it for now,
Signed:-  Stephen Hyde    ( Skipper )