R and R

Blanshard
Fri 4 Jun 2010 01:08
Position 39 26.20N 52 13.20W  Log reading 13391   169 miles covered
 
24 hours of R and R - much needed.  After tackling the engine and general repairs a steady 24 hours has been just what was needed.  Only a small amount of water coming through into the diesel which we have drained off (see picture of Alastair, the apprentice mechanic)  and it now seems to be staying clear despite being rolled around a fair bit so we are optimistic that it is cured.
Al concocted thai chicken last night which went down a treat and we even celebrated with a few squares of chocolate!  Night watches were steady with a perfect SW4 driving us along downwind - a bit rolly and worse is the 'depeche creak' which is driving us nuts at night - a job to be tackled ....
Nobody seen for 48 hours now, we really are in the middle of nowhere.  One turtle, a brief visitation by some porpoises and not much else.  Caught a bundle of seaweed with the string of a balloon.
Wash day today so the wind coming your way may not be quite so offensive?
Night watches seem to work well with 3 hour stints starting at 9 pm - first watch is the favourite, before the moon rises the phosphoresence is all around and the other two are in bed (at 8 - 9 pm!);  the next one is without doubt the 'dogwatch',  sleepy and dark but helped along with tea and Beethoven;  dawn is the second favourite as the sun comes up and then breakfast.  Daytime is spread between us, usually we are all awake, sometimes even Alastair! , reading, eating or washing up - it never stops.
Sunny today with a following wind, couldn't be better!