Thank God it's Friday and nearly the weekend

Bardeau returns across Atlantic
Robert Bard
Fri 7 Dec 2012 15:27

17.25N 039.26W

So at last it's POET's day. Last night was back to the bad old days of pitch black, nasty squalls with lightning. It almost stopped me from sleeping on watch, but I told my venerable assistant David that I would have to deal with important nautical matters at the chart table and I might not be back up in the swamping drenching bone rotting rain for a little while...but should he need me he should just call ! Works every time.
Today is a mixed bag of achingly hot sunshine with 100 % humidity and rain. Mr Frog the barometer is happy though,says its only 33C, and pressure steady at 1009mb
Enough of the technical boat stuff though. Lunch today was by David, and comprised a fusion of pasties el hyperdino and croquettes, with a mere hint of OK sauce, washed down with a fine vintage Don Simon white wine, purchased on special offer in Gran Canaria at 1 euro per wine box. If I remember this Atlantic crossing for nothing else it will be how anything so awful managed to creep on board without me noticing. Could say that about some of my motleys though. David von Derby will be cooking pasta tonight with a fusion of whatever he finds in the freezer that is suitable.
Due to good winds, and slightly unfriendly seas the demise of Mr Parrot has been postponed. A shame as something very big and very nasty has obviously been following the boat for the last two days biting cleanly through our huge steel Acme Patent (7927782) super steel all American fishing hooks. In fact Animal wanted to dangle her feet off the back end this morning, rather in the manner of the lure dragging behind ! My wicked curiousity wanted to say yes, good idea, but having a footless Animal on board would mean more whinging than any of us could bear. David has just discovered a new type of cloud and is consulting his bible, the Chris Tibbs RYA weather handbook to see who has got it right, Simone from West End...or Chris,or the latest ARC weather report. Meanwhile I prefer to use Mr Frog and cast some runes...read the teabags, and check the entrails of the onboard chickens. Any second opinions are taken from tree leaves, wind from smoke stacks, and localised sea breeze. David has now read the book and is of the opinion that the weather will either stay the same, get better, or get worse.
Thank you Mr & Mrs Nash for the playing cards. ...which is the best way to cook them?
It's the weekend now, so if anyone wants to come sailing meet tomorrow morning 10am at 16.50N and 41.25W
el illustrious skipper