Penguin
Sat 3 Dec 2005 16:38
Good morning/evening to all.
 
SO FAR
Things going well, still sunny, still breezy and now from the northeast, so sailing fast toward the Caribbean - the iced Pina colada's are beckoning.  Sadly, the first boat is about to finish (a whole week in front of us, the cads).  Boat fine, all systems working well, hydrovane now up & running effectively which saves us lot having to helm all day AND doesn't use the batteries (and so less engine needed to recharge them).  Dam its hot!  Wind about 10knots from ENE, so good trade wind, forecast to stay into most of next week so ETA of Sunday week looking good.  No tropical cyclones to worry about but (and this is a pretty major but), we did have a few drops of rain earlier on.  Lasted about 23seconds so big impact on our day (...........still below zero in UK is it??).  Excellent stars  last night.
 
FOOD UPDATE
As you may have gathered, life on board is measured by mealtimes.  We therefore have life before breakfast (BP), life after breakfast and before lunch (BL), life before supper (BS) and anything else is spent talking about it.  So, since the last log, we have had an excellent spaghetti carbonara (courtesy of Clare) Mexican fajita's the night before.  This morning Norm & J had a fry up - toast, eggs, bacon and most importantly BAKED BEANS. 
 
BREAD MAKING CONTEST
Yes, here in the (near) middle of the Atlantic we are 3/5 the way through our 60hour breadmaking contest.  It started with Clare's ciabatta, which
would have made a good pair of soles for a pair of walking boots.  The following night, J made a granary loaf that it was felt would better serve as a door stop, or a close quarters self defence weapon.  Jak made the best so far, a white bloomer looking thing that actually rose higher than 1.5cm off the baking tray and tasted good too.  Not sure if we'll get much joy out of Rob & Norm so a clear victory to Jak.
 
GINGA CAKE (i.e. ginger cake)
As a tribute to Tracy, who is celebrating her 21st birthday (I think that was it), Clare making ginga cake which will be scoffed tonight, with an appropriate toast.
 
PRESSIES OPENED
Yes, more presents to celebrate the halfway mark.  Sweets, a bowling game (really useful on a boat!!) and a couple of comedy CD's .  Jak's scoffed he sweets already. 
 
BETTING UPDATE
Well, the daily 24hr run was won for the second time in a row by J, with 165 miles followed by 155 miles.  The competition hotting up! 
 
CLARES WILDLIFE WATCH
Whale
Frigate birds
 
THE WORLD MATCH FISHING CONTEST
3 2 IN CLARES FAVOUR