Sleep and Speed
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Wed 22 Dec 2010 17:32
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Our conundrum is speed versus sleep. We have now
averaged 6 knots+ for two days and we could go faster but in the confused seas
we have "Moonbeam" leaps around and sleep becomes impossible for the off-
watch crew so we have compromised for comfort and have 2 or 3 slabs in the main,
a few rolls in the genoa and have stowed the mizzen. It was a bit of a relief
this morning to hear yachts reporting in to the "Rumrunners Net" that others had
rough seas too and it was not just us being wimpish!
Here we have declared MST or Moonbeam standard time
; as we go west we should be retarding the clock but right now we are enjoying
it being light to '9 oclock' at night and as we have no need to get up that
early we will stick with it. We will eventually have to put the clock back
4 hours but I will try and do it on Maitland's watch while he is not
looking!
We are running "Wilkie's Patent Watch Rota"
specially concocted for a 5 person crew. Night watches are 2 persons on for 3
hours and run from 6pm to 9am and day watches are single 1 1/2 hour stints
with the cook excused. At night everybody does 2x3 hr stints and has 9 hrs off
in a 15hr period; either 3 x 3hr or 1 x 3hr and 1 x 6hr. Have not heard too many
grumbles from the crew but I am going deaf in my old age!
Today has been bright and sunny with so far only
one ship on the AIS 12 miles away but not seen while yesterday we saw two.
We are finalising the Christmas Day Menu but will have to miss out on the
brussel sprouts; could not find any in La Gomera (something about no frosts!)
and we are all living in rather a confined space!
Lynn is busy preparing tonight's sweet and sour
chicken with noodles and we have given the fishing a miss as we think we are up
to our quota.
All the best from a hot, rolly and speedy
Moonbeam
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