Bit by bit.
Fleck
Mon 19 Nov 2012 10:03
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Monday, November 19th 12.30
Position 29:33S 38:41E
We are getting there, but it is not yet an end of
term feeling, as it is the last few hundred miles that present the most
challenge. Anyway little to report since noon yesterday. The forcast winds, less
rather than more, and not quite from the right direction, have never the less
been pushing us along at a reasonable speed, though with much banging of the
mainsail during the night, which has now been stowed away as a punishment. A lot
of traffic on the Seeme keeps us wary at all times, conflicting with the need
for sleep! A large tanker sneaked up on me this morning to about three miles
off, when we had the audible warning turned off, and I was up and about. I think
that he had seen us, and they do have an obligation to keep clear of sail, so
fingers crossed.
Very frustrated to find water once again leaking
through the decks of this nice boat. My previous sticking plaster repair looks
sound, so there maybe another/new hole somewhere, though the water appears in
axactly the same places down below. I find these relatively trivial setbacks
difficult to cope with: we need a safe dry place for the computers, electrics,
books, charts etc. Seawater ruins everything, and the next frontal system due in
48 hrs time is again going to have green ones over the gunwales, and surely
water finding its way below again.
So some welcome good news: according to Geoff's
sextant readings, the four GPS units on this boat are only 28 miles
out of true! And he only took about an hour to work this out: what a
navigator, he deserves the wonderful loaf that I have baked for his
lunch!
I found a squid on deck on my morning ward round,
like Tracy Emin, I didn't know they could jump so high (in joke for
Conny).
We will report in as regularly as the computer
allows, in good weather the system, thanks to Geoff's ITU care, is
working very well.
Appropriate greetings and wishes to
all/both/any readers out there
Richard and Geoff.
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