Course  290

 

Speed 6 kts

 

 

 

We have had just about everything today.  Starting with the good, stiff 35 knot blow that we expected, The wind then faded and was eventually replaced by light winds then a sky full of black clouds and rain on the horizon behind us.

 

We got the rain ( rain is an understatement, it really fell out of the sky ) and then, after a lull, a second batch during which we hand steered in massive seas .

 

Out of the back of this we seem to have got the ocean sailing conditions that we originally signed up for.  Blue sky's, fluffy clouds and 15 to 20 knots from the NE. 

 

Twin headsails are up, conditions on board are better and all's good.

 

We have even had neighbours ! 

 

Last night the cruise ship Costa Medi Terraneo (MMSI 247088200) crept up over the horizon and we spotted her at about 12 miles.  This wasn't dificult even in the heavy sea as she was lit up like a city. 

 

We have chosen to stay on UK time for our watchkeeping so have one on watch between 10pm and 10 am with 2 x 2 hour watches for each of us.  Jez was just coming to the end of his first watch at midnight as the ship arrived and woke up Tim to take over and watch the fun as she approached.  Costa Medi Terraneo was on local time and as they eventually passed at about 2 miles she was full of happy campers in full party swing as it was only 9 pm on the ship. 

 

Their watch keepers English was a bit rubbish and whilst he was happy to confirm the local weather forecast (which, like ours has turned out to be wrong !), he didn't really want to chat.  Jez on the other hand hadn't spoken to anyone other than Ricky or Tim for 6 days and wanted to talk about anything - even the Ashes.  After a 1 sided, very stilted conversation with a man who spoke english as a third or fourth language, Jez gave up.

 

We associate the Costa line with Costa Concordia so as Jez went to bed, Tim watched them very, very closely to see them safely away from our little ship !

 

Late this afternoon we have seen a large yacht about 4 miles behind us and heading towards St Lucia.  We have called them but failed to make contact.  There are not too many boats out here and on the basis of the info that Chris sends daily we think them to be the ARC boat Aditi.

 

 

 

Domestic 

 

After a rough night both literally and in the "we didn't get enough sleep" sense then current conditions are welcome.  We plan to be fast and smooth but are still cautious after the surrises that the weather has sent our way.Its Tuna with pasta with a basil and tomato sauce tonight and making another chocolate cake tommorrow for Emlys birthday and in readyness for our 100 miles to go !!

 

 

Natural History.

 

Masses of porpoises joined us at about 4pm to play in the bow wave.  They stayed for 10 minutes and we estimate that there were 30 plus including an adult and child swimming together.

 

Lots of Tropic birds this morning - working in pairs and heading out into wind which was still very strong at that point.

 

 

Ellis / Richard - Tim becoming twitchy about some of the suggestions.  Not Harry please !  He looked interested at Hoddle.

 

Adam - if you are out there.  It's bad enough being stuck on a boat with a Spurs supporter and all this infor coming in in 160 character slabs.  The horror of what it must be for Change Control and Forecasting with you on a Spurs and Twitter rant makes me very, very glad to be here !   What about Michael Laudrup ?

 

Gav - Thanks.  Steve sounds like the right man for the job.  With luck and a fair wind, I will be in on Christmas Eve to congratulate him.

 

 

 

Sadie