Day 12 – Noon 30^th May to Noon 31^st May

So we motored all night – again. Now “what’s even worse than too little wind” I ask? “Too much wind “you all chorus in reply. Wrong – it’s the dreaded head winds. Guess what? As I went on watch at 3 in the morning to take over from Biggles, he cheerfully told me – the wind’s finally picking up but it’s against us and it’s starting to rain – goodnight! Brilliant.

But around dawn there was a wind shift and we managed to start sailing again and protect our dwindling supplies of diesel. The weather forecast actually looks like it’s on our side for the next couple of days so I’m hoping we can make up for lost time.

Meanwhile, after getting over the shock of no more builders tea the hairy crew have discovered the lesbian teas and are delicately making their way through the echinacea and raspberry. With builders tea now firmly behind them it looks like they’re getting in touch with their feminine sides!

There was a real “crumbs on the table moment” today. (That’s our family code for sons asking for advice from Dad). Nick decided to make pizza only he wasn’t well versed in making bread dough. Most if it ended up irrevocably stuck to his fingers. Unfortunately he then baked the rest on un-greased aluminium foil which promptly welded itself to the underside. One quick cookery lesson later and the second attempt was perfect – see for yourself.

We spent the rest of the becalmed period attempting to fix things on the boat. Our auto-pilot packed up about 1,000 miles ago and we’ve been hand steering or using the hydrovane ever since. We managed to prove that there was power getting to the control unit but couldn’t isolate the problem so we have to carry on as we are.

Paul - Peejay