Day 11 -Baking Day!!
Magnetic Attraction
Roger and Margaret Pratt
Wed 4 Dec 2013 14:28
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Wednesday 4 December 2013
16:18.3N
32:09.6W Course: 220 Engine Hrs: 4hrs (for purposes only of battery charging) Day's Run: 95miles Total: 1335 miles - Expected total distance 3000 miles Air Temperature 28.9C Water temperature 30.0C Wind speed: 10knts Wind direction: 55T So it is back to me, Lucy, to be mother today. I
must say already I am enjoying today a lot more than my last Mother shift, the
two most possible extremes. Today the sun is shining, we are sailing on a broad
reach with almost 12 knots of breeze on a calm sea. I am actually having to
think of things to challenge myself with. Last time I was most definitely
over challenged. We were reaching in a sea with swell and waves 2m+ and 22
knots of breeze. Just keeping the pans and worst of all the coffee pot on the
cooker was hard. Today I am thinking I will bake something for afternoon
tea and cook dinner from scratch rather than heating up one of Margaret's semi
ready dinners, which I must say are a life saver in the more bumpy
seas.
Our main highlight from the last 24hrs was the
first spectacular sunset. The colours were so vibrant you could almost say they
were day-glow / fluorescent. They were bright oranges, pinks and salmon like
colours emphasised by some streaky and little fluffy clouds (excuse the
lack of technical jargon!). I am sure the photos will not do it
justice!
We have seen minimal signs of
wildlife, only the odd large bird swooping low above the sea. We are
still attempting to catch some fish. The first adjustment made was lengthening
the line behind us. Today is the second adjustment of using a larger
lure which is usually used for catching extremely large fish!! Today is day
three for the fishing so you never know it may be...third time lucky!! In which
case it may be fish for dinner!!
We have all been looking at the forecast today for
the next 7 days and things are finally looking up. The north-easterly trade
winds are here which is a start and the plan is to head south until we are on
the same latitude as Martinique and then the winds will be blowing easterly and
blowing us closer and closer to our final destination. The strengths are also
looking hopeful apart from one day where it lightens but I think we will
cope!! Each day you can tell we are getting more south because it is
warming up!! Last night the boat was quite warm after a day of sun shine but
with all the hatches open a cooling breeze brought the inside temperature down
making it much easier to sleep. You can also tell on the night watches because
Roger was wearing just shorts and t-shirt until 2200 when he decided a jumper
was just necessary. Also the watches later on, previously we have had light
waterproofs on but they have now been hung up hopefully not to be used
again!!
On the night watches you have time to
enjoy being here in the middle of a large ocean, with no light
pollution so you are joined by so many stars and planets, and you can see
some beautiful phosphorescence in your bow waves (when going fast enough)!
Your thoughts also go to what you may be doing if you weren't here! I, as most
of you may know, am a paediatric nurse which means that my days are spent
on the paediatric ward (at Southend Hospital.) Now that winter is in
full swing I know full well what the ward and its staff are going to be
like, busy is an understatement, and it really makes you appreciate the the
hard work done on the ward at this time of year. Most of the children they will
be looking after will be babies and toddlers with viral respiratory infections.
When deciding to come on this adventure I thought I would try and raise some
money for Neptune Children's Ward to buy some equipment to enable more effective
care for the children and their families during these challenging times. For
those interested please see the following: www.justgiving.com/lucy.riley13
So time to get out the baking things and make
something I think.
Signing
off...Lucy
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