Writing this in short bursts today becase it's blowing a bit outside and the seas have kicked up.  We have our sea legs now and are quite happy below hiding from the weather and letting the windvane take the strain but taking too long at the computer is asking for sea sickness !

 

We reefed down overnight and Sadie has a triple reefed main and a scrap of Genny out on a reach.  Our biggest complaint is that it's been raining and we are fed up with being wet when we reef or go into the cockpit to check the rig.

 

There is a chap in California who has sent us some excellent weather routing info and if we ever meet him we will buy him a beer.

 

Afternoon update - the rain has stopped and we have ventured, briefly into the cockpit to steer further off the wind to our next weather routing checkpoint.  We have big quartering seas so whilst it's safe in the cockpit, there is a lot of spray and moving water, so it's an indoor day for us.

 

 

Last night we ran a pub quiz and Ricky was the clear winner after dredging up a surprising pool of knowledge on classical composers.

 

Not much cooking today but we are ploughing through the oranges that we bought to keep off scurvy and  are (very carefully) keeping the tea flowing.  Tinned chilli con-carne was all that we could reasonably produce with the boat crashing about.  And for the sailors.  We did think about heaving-too to cook as we do to reef the sail but today speed wins over comfort - we want to get out of the low pressure system.

 

Using the loo is proving a challenge so tea consumption needs to be balanced carefully.  Boat heeled 15 degrees to starboard and occasionally 30 degrees as we hit a big wave.  Loo to port and facing midships   :-)

 

 

Natural History.

 

No wildlife seen inside the boat.  We have been looking out the back through the shiny new washboards that Tim bought for the trip, but anything that can do so will be deep under the waves and keeping out the way.

 

Thanks to Rachel and Stu for identifying our "albatross" as a Frigate bird.

 

We have had another bird sighting, smaller  than yesterday's Frigate Bird (18 inch wingspan but again long, thin wings ) , white underside, light brown top, distinctive black head and face.

 

 

 

Ellis - we are 500 miles from land and do not want junk mail - the ASDA delivery will have to wait .

 

Em - "Triangular scaffold man" had me wondering but I got there eventually.

 

Rowles kids - hope football training was good and that you didn't drag Lizzie out in the cold with you.  I think you got Macs for lunch after mum paid off your library fine.  Dont lose the book this time.

 

Doris - I'm not sure 92 year olds read blogs, but happy birthday !

 

Chris - The ARC updates are great - misery loves company and it's nice to see others in the same boat (there's a joke in there somewhere).  Keep them coming please.

 

Barry - It's also dreary here. But a lot warmer.

 

Smarts - hope you are warm with your new woodburner.  Don't let L,J&H eat all your grub tonight !

 

Anyone - Premier League results please, with a leaning towards Spurs.  We will cross-reference them as there are too many Gooners out there !  Col U and Ipswich town too please to keep the crew happy.

 

 

 

Final note - at 4pm we clocked up our first week at sea.