A week gone already !
Cat-man-do
Sun 2 Dec 2007 22:02
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It's now just over a week since we left Gran
Canaria and we're all settling into the routine of things quite nicely. Even
Peter has finally succumbed and started sleeping a bit during the day, which if
you're going to be up a good portion of the night is obviously a necessity.We
are eating well and spirits are still high on board. I'm getting into this
tactical mind game of trying to figure out the best way to go for the best
weather (in 3 days time) without sacrificing too much in a) lost speed b) extra
distance, and actually finding it quite an enjoyable aspect of the trip.
This is all very well I hear you say, but what
about the sausage?!
It's strange, but it seems to have almost
gained it's own sort of "fan club" judging by the E mails we get that, often as
not enquiring about it. Well, I'm pleased to be able to tell you that we've all
shook hands (if a sausage had any, obviously) and agreed to "play nicely"
together.
The past day saw us make our biggest ever distance
for 24 hours of 187 miles, point to point i.e.. not including any little detours
on the way. We took our friend down this afternoon when the we couldn't make the
course we wanted with it still up. Our speed has suffered since but hopefully
it'll be worth the sacrifice later in the week. To give you some sort of idea,
we are now about 900 miles due West of Mauritania. It's doesn't seem
particularly hot during the day but it must be the wind that has a lot to do
with that as our thermometer has been showing up to 36C and is still showing 32
at 7:40 in the evening local time. It does seem to get quite "sticky" at night,
but not unpleasantly so. Today has been shower day with 2 of our crew using the
tried and trusted bucket of sea water over the head whilst the others used the
solar shower without bothering to let it warm up (the sea water's plenty warm
enough not to shock the system too much) It's strangely invigorating stripping
off for a shower stood on the back of a boat in the middle of the Atlantic for
some reason.
There has been some awesome shows of
phosphorescence in the past couple of days. We've often seen it in the past, a
bit like lots of shiny glitter in the wake of the boat at night. This however is
totally different with huge patches of light illuminating the sea from
underneath as we pass by. To see it you'd think there were frogmen under the
water with lights moving around, or somebody setting off bright flashing "bombs"
under the water. totally mesmerising to see and something I think will stay with
all of us for a long time yet.
We've not seen another boat all day today,
but not long ago spoke to one about 30 miles due North of us. The
obvious rivalry is between ourselves and Rebel T and hopefully we're still a
little way ahead of them this evening, but the information is often over a day
old by the time we get it. Strangely people at home have a better immediate idea
than us at any given time. Speaking of which I must thank Shawn at Fowey
Maritime Centre who has been dissecting the information at home and sending us a
sort of "pre processed" report. Thanks mate and we're sorry you couldn't make it
along.
Thanks to everyone that's been sending us E mails,
they're eagerly anticipated when we log on each day at 12:00 UT (time at home)
Take care everyone.
Brian 02/12/07
22:00z
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