Penguin
Fri 25 Nov 2005 14:53
|
Day 6...................so soon!
Here we are, a couple of hundred miles north of the
Cape Verde Islands, sailing sort of 230degrees at around 7knots, in the
sunshine, wind almost a northeast trade but not quite. Very pleasant after
the last few days which have been either no wind and motoring, or a very
awkward swell that made sleeping etc. difficult. Now we are off, and made
134 miles in the last 24 hours which ain't too bad. Rob thinks we are
still on track for an 18 day trip but the general consensus (going by the
ongoing 'day to finish' bet in our tote) is for a few days more.
Norm won the bet for the 'time to first 500 miles
travelled' which we achieved at close to 1800hrs last night (Thursday).
The prize was (another) book of crossword puzzles and a magnetic darts
set, which the Yorkies used to demonstrate the extent to which they both had a
miss-spent youth. The rest of us will need a little more practice to top
their scores.
FISHING UPDATE
After a few tense days when expectations were
running high but results noticeably poor, the onboard fishing expert (Clare)
finally produced the goods, turning in a 450mm long dolphin fish that went down
very well for supper. Rob also performed well, catching two
lit'luns that were were returned as Clare thought they were too pretty to
keep. His third catch now resides in our fridge, waiting the
opportunity to finally grace our plates.
WEATHER UPDATE
We have our very own tropical cyclone to look
forward to, named (Delta). A bit of a worry but is around 1000 miles away
at present so hopefully won't be too much of a problem. We are heading
south to dodge it (hopefully).
LITERACY UPDATE
Norman can read!
Much to the surprise of all that know him, it has
now been discovered that Norm can read. Not only is he halfway
through his fifth book (a previously dirty word in his vocabulary) but
he has also been seen reading a recipe book - maybe this means
that cooking is soon to be added to his already comprehensive
repertoire! The first dish will be corn based and has already caused
the pigeon (Ref: web-log issued after start of ARC) to fall off her perch
in anticipation.
WILDLIFE UPDATE
lots of dolphins playing in the bow wave..spotted i
think..we were going to send you a picture (to make you all jealous) but Norm
says it will take too long (therefore a very large phone bill). j thinks he
saw 2 killer whales, definite sighting of some pilot whales but not sure which
ones, a few flying fish, several storm petrels of sorts, an artic tern (?), a
swallow (bit lost) and our spanish racing pigeon - last seen heading west, (so
maybe we should have had pigeon pie).
Bye for now.
Penguin.
For those new to it, there now follows a comment by
Jackie (hithertoo and forthwith referred to as HLS (her
lady-ship)).
HLS.
The wind is blowing, my skin is dry
Sometimes I wish I could fly.
Across the waves and the sea,
Will we ever get there, in time for
tea?
HAng on a minute, Clares caught a
fish,
So teas come to us - that was an easier
wish.
Love to all,
Jak
|