(Blog No.25) Leeks in the boat!
Catou
Paul and Sylvie Tucker
Fri 26 Nov 2010 13:02
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22:09.67N 22:23.03W
Noon Position: 22 deg 09'N 22 deg
23'W
Daily Run: 118'
Average Speed: 4.92 Knots
Total Average Spd: 4.75 Knots
Total Distance covered: 569'
Total Distance to go: 2247'
Haha! It only meant we found some leeks and had
them for supper! (I am sure the spelling gave it away). Thought it might
catch your attention in case anyone was getting bored.
Well after our dreadful days run yesterday, we have had
a slightly better day today, but we are still not breaking any records.
The wind is still totally in the wrong direction for this part of the world and
we have been 'hard on the wind' for 24 hours. (To those non-sailors it means
that we have been sailing as close as we can to the direction that the wind has
been coming from). It is harder sailing, and more uncomfortable for sleep,
but a little more exhilarating. The wind has been up, down and shifting
from NE, to ESE, to SE, to WSW and now around to the NW.
According to the GRIB forecast that we got, it is likely that we will get
another 'hole' in the wind and we won't be able to avoid it, so we think that
tomorrow (Sat) might be a becalm day again.
We are now into a good routine. Today we are about to
enjoy our 2nd shower! We are doing well with the water conservation. So
far we have only used 1/4 of the 1st of two tanks (after 5 days). We have
460 litres in the tanks, so have used only about 60 litres in 5 days.
Added to this, we have a further 200 litres in collapsable plastic containers.
So water in in good shape. So far no tropilac rain squalls - we will surely get
them, and then we will put out our water catching devices as suggested by
sailmaker Chris Scaines. These are 'U' shaped bags that attach to the outer
lifelines and the handrails on the coachroof. They have an outlet with pipe
attached so water can be fed straight into the two water tanks These will
be photographed in the rain.
I purchased a safety devise called a 'life tag'.
It is attached to the wrist of the watch-keeper. Should you go overboard in
the night, it sets off a very loud alarm in the saloon. Ben has found a
way of setting this devise off without leaving the boat. Two nights running so
far! When he turns off his i-pod it sets the alarm off! The first
time, I was in such a deep sleep, that I didn't know where I was as I got up,
and the three of us were staring at the control panel wondering what the alarm
was - before we realised that Ben shouldn't have been there, and he was looking
over our shoulder !! Last night I was out of my bunk somewhat faster.
Seriously, we don't allow this to 'cry wolf'. Man overboard (MOB) is a very
frightening prospect - ever in daylight would be very worrying, but night time
could be fatal in any sort of sea.
As I type Ben is on his 2nd bread-making effort (We
have now run out of 'shore-side' sliced bread), and we are looking forward to
fresh bread again.
Best wishes to everyone
Message from Sylvie for all in Quebec:
Bonjour!
Ici tout va bien et nous nous amusons bien, surtout
apres l'episode des gars 'jouant' avec les voiles et moi, essayant de me reposer
un peu! Je me sentais dans une machine a laver et j'en suis ressortie bien
essoree!
Les journees passent assez rapidement meme si la vitesse
n'est pas super en ce moment. Le sens de l'humour est de rigueur et nous faisons
un bon 'team'.
Les gars ont decide de faire des competitions: avec
d'autres voiliers, avec les vitesses durant nos gardes et le reste.
J'aime bien mes gardes de nuit. Les gars ont leur iPod,
mais j'aime mieux les sons que j'entend autour de moi. Pour mes
amis, melomanes et musiciens, les noms de Debussy et de Faure me
semblent appropries: Clair de Lune, La mer. La Cathedrale Engloutie
(puissant message) et tout autre pieces reliees a la mer et donc
les titres m'echappent.
Avec la technologie a bord, on ne se sent jamis seuls
meme si les voiliers sont maintenant disperses. On peut voir ou sont les autres
sur la carte electroniques et ont planifie quelques tactiques pour les
depasses, meme si on ne les voient pas.
Oups, j'entend parler les gars. Ils veulent changer une
des voiles. Je ferais mieux de monter sur le pont, avant de me retrouver encore
dans une machine a laver !!
Donc, passez une belle journee et je vous envoie de
beaux rayons de soleil et de la chaleur d'ici.
Grosses bises a tous et continuez de nous envoyer
des messages. On ne repond pas toujours mais on lit tout!!!!
A bientot
Sylvie
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