Thursday 18th February: Polywogs no longer!
Awelina of Sweden
James Collier
Thu 18 Feb 2016 16:53
We continue to make good progress. Last night, just as James decided to go and check the Radar and the inside of his eyelids, the heavens opened and it poured with rain for about 3 hrs, accompanied by lightning at times, but the wind remained favourable. However for the able seaman left on duty the wind came from all four corners of the compass and then some but the deluge was at least warm while steering. We switched to compass driven auto helm as the hydrovane could not cope. Even the cockpit drains were struggling to keep up - it was like a paddling pool at the back of the boat. The sails got a nice wash which makes us wonder why we spent the time washing the main halyard!
The only other excitement during the night was that during one of James's watches at around 03:30 boat time (05:30 UTC as we are two hours behind since nearly at 30° W) he heard running water and on opening the door to the heads, aka loo, a torrent flooded out. One of us, each feels sure it can only have been the other, must have left the basin tap running and it filled the grey water tank and then bubbled up through the shower base. The net effect is that all the efforts of the water maker running from the engine output yesterday were in vain and just pumped overboard. Ho hum, worse things happen at sea.
This morning was thus dedicated to unbolting the table and floorboards in the cabin to expose all the fuel piping. We traced the generator piping but of course it turned out to be completely fine and clear of all blockages. So it was put back as before - only 2 hrs spent on it, bloody plumbing - and it now runs fine and has done nearly 4 hrs without a hiccup. The water maker was also running and has refilled the tanks so back to normal.
At 11:38 we crossed the equator and held appropriate ceremony; bear officiating whilst wearing crown and trident since he's an old hand. James wore all the outfit provided by Tinks in the Polywog hamper she gave us before leaving: photographic evidence better sent privately! But a really fun gift: thank you. We provided Neptune with his part of the wine and the rum and toasted Tinks, the occasion, the captain and the crew. Shellbacks we now are.
The wind is a gentle F3 but from the ESE, ie some south in it! Just maybe we are approaching the SE trades. Chart changed over for the Western South Atlantic rather than the Eastern North Atlantic. Let part two commence - the Atlantic crossing to Brazil from the equator.