Bernie’s Bog - Day 6 – 26 May

We are no longer in the tropics; the Tropic of Cancer 231 °north was crossed at 1300 yesterday and we celebrated during afternoon tea by cutting into Sue 2’s moist fruitcake. There is not a great change in the climate other than sea temp is now 29.9 and we are just a little cooler when trying to sleep. As we continue north we expect to find conditions to improve.

Peter (P1), our skipper, keeps a close eye on our health and as part of that he ensures that we drink enough liquids and monitors closely the intake. We save the fresh water bottle tops so that we know exactly how much is consumed each day. Also, our useage of ship’s water is monitored and we are getting better at reducing useage for washing up and showering. We do have a water maker onboard but we have to be prepared for the time when it might not function.

Yesterday we sailed under the spinnaker while conditions were suitable. Today we are using the ‘asymmetric’ genoa. All exciting seamanship stuff!

Last evening’s supper coked by Peter (P1) was an excellent hot spicy Singapore Hawker Centre-style stir fried noodles with ham, bean shoots, ginger cooked in sesame seed and olive oil. Superb.

It was a truly beautiful and spiritual night to be sailing. Overnight we sailed under a totally clear sky full of stars and planets. We could have easily steered by the Pole Star keeping it on the port bean to head east; just as in olden days of sail. There is something very special about watch keeping at night. Everyone else is below asleep and you are on your own with your own thoughts  …….family, friends, events and, yes, …….the meaning of life. At this point our skipper maybe feeling ill !

Discussions on deck today have included: BBC left-wing bias (I don’t agree but was in minority!!) vs CNN News; old coins and the merits of solar panels vs wind vanes to top-up batteries.