18:58N 47:00 W
First of all,
apologies for not updating this blog for a few days. We've had plenty of
time to write things, but somehow something else needs to be done when we've
thought to sit down and actually post something.
Yesterday saw the big event of our first
showers. It has now been 13 days at sea, and only one shower to show for
it! As water preservation is key out here, we dipped buckets over the side
and scrubbed ourselves using sea water before rinsing it off with fresh water
from a solar shower that had been heating up all day. You'd think we'd all
forgotten what a shower was by the way we all stared at the first couple of
people who had one! Someone even wanted to take some photos but that idea
was quickly voted down!
We had a couple of days earlier in the week where
not a lot happened - so instead of writing about those days I will talk a little
about food. As you know (and I believe I discussed before), we run a watch
system where one person each day becomes the "mother". That person has to
clean and cook for the entire day. It quickly became apparent that not
only was this trip going to be a great sailing experience, but also a great
eating experience - the mother's job description soon transformed from cooking
one big meal a day, with everyone getting their own breakfast, to that of a full
time chef providing breakfast, elevenses, a late lunch (the big meal of the
day), and something else for supper. Throw in a sackful of tea and coffee
and the cooking role takes up most of the day! And never let it be said
that quantity < quality - the food has been absolutely fantastic. Case
in point - Dan is mother today, and has so far served us Weetabix and Cornflakes
for breakfast (ok, so he didn't technically make that, but he did arrange it all
in bowls and add sugar); bacon, lettuce and tomato rolls at 11; a stew of sorts
- which Dan describes as "the cuisine of what is left in the cupboards", which
was delicious, and to follow all that he served bananas with condensed milk and
figs. I have it on good authority that he will be adding pizza to that
list later. I think its safe to assume that nobody will be losing weight
on this trip.
So, we leave you once again, but this time with a
promise to write again tomorrow to keep you updated with our
adventure.
