Day 4 - counting the days
Itchycoo
Wed 15 Aug 2018 11:12
We are currently cruising at a gentle 5 knots on course 200 degrees with 10-12 knots of tailwind and sails set gull/goose (I never know which is correct) winged with the main on the port side and the genoa polled out on the starboard side. It has been much this way for the past 36 hours. Comfortable sailing and comfortable sleeping conditions - the latter very necessary as the watch system of three hours on and three hours off etc. each night takes its toll.
So, the good news for Paul is that he will arrive in the Canaries before Andy - the bad news is that he will be on the wrong island!
The fishing has again been disappointing with nothing positive to report. It entertained however when Roger tried a lure so large that it was close to impossible to bring in against the 6 knot boat speed - even with no catch on the line. He will not be getting that baby wet again soon. Paul's fishing has been expertly guided throughout from his man in Hendon, London who sold him his gear. Paul says he works at the Fishing Shop but the rest of us wonder whether its the Fish (and Chip) shop. But both keep trying manfully and its kept us amused. Luckily we over provisioned in Cascais so we are not relying on fresh fish.
Other entertainment included a game of Desert Island Discs where attempts were made to guess each other's seven music favorites. Regular Itchycoo Parkers will know that this was near impossible in the case of Paul, achievable in part for Roger and blindingly obvious for Bob (who has very limited music tastes consisting of old Musicals and pop music of the 1970s - and 'yes' it included the Carpenters).
The 'corn flakes to the Canaries' mystery continues with absolutely no shipping traffic of any kind seen. We are told Arecife is a busy port so they must be out there somewhere.
Off now for rest as the daylight (single person on watch) system replaces the dual person overnight watch system so each crew member gets at least six hours R & R.
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