13:55.98N 42:04.342W
Hotstuff
Fri 1 Dec 2023 17:35
So having reported that the compass light was dead, Nick sacrificed the fairy lights we randonly bought in the Hypermarket for decoration to make a new light for the compass. IT was a success although having cut it to 32 bulbs it didnt quite last the night and when on destroyed your night vision completly. So with a little surgery it is now down to 15 bulbs and we will see if that with a full day of blistering sun charging the little panel lasts longer!
Last night became... exciting ?! with the kite up so we had an early hours call for 'all hands' to get the kite down. I have to say at that point it was a relief as I had spent most that night not asleep holding onto the bunk trying to hug the hull and not fall out onto Darren!. Once down we had a great sail running down and Darren is the current champion of Max SOG of 14.9knots! There may have been words of similar to but slightly bluer than 'oh my god!'
Once day broke we charged the batteries which were back down to 10.5v and put the kite back up. We are running with about 15 -17 knots of breeze down wind as far as we can go. there is an amazing hum as we hit the sweet spot, still no where near Darrens magic number though!
This afternoon we managed an impressive spinnaker wrap of about 3 times. For those from work its like a McDonalds wrap you cant get into. Frustrating to say the least. The usual methods were not working so I grabbed the climbing harness and will Nick fought to keep the mast upright ish as I (clearly the lightest member of the team) was hoisted up the mast. Tied onto the rig with a sail tie and Jack pulling from below after what seemed like for ever up there we freed the kite and re started the march to the finish line and Rum!
The sad loss during this episode, please remove your hat and bow your head, was jacks Salty Sea Dog hat! caught by the guy over it went. Seen for even less time than the bucket and lost forever.
The Computer is also now starting to sound like a demented mouse being stangled! Hopefully it will last though!
And in other news Happy first day of December! Portsmouth apparantly has had 10 min of snow and it was lovely to get an email from Florence (No1 Daughter) this morning as she is off school. I also got to open day 1 of my Advent Chocolate coins! I nice cadbury treat! (other chocolate options are available).
24 days to Xmas and 6 days to St Lucia hopefully!
C