Blog 29th July

Susan Ayu
Peter Costalas
Fri 29 Jul 2011 12:02

Bernie’s Blog - Day 6 – Friday 29th July 2011

Leg Five: Azores to Dartmouth

 

It is Friday and still no fish. Terrible.

Andy, our fishing expert is now relying on the Continental Shelf some 700 miles ahead to provide us with fresh fish. However, we do have tinned tuna, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

 

We are a quarter the distance to Dartmouth with 900 miles to go. If we kept current progress I reckon we could make it by next Thursday or Friday. No doubt the skipper will open ‘the arrival time sweepstake’ shortly. The past 32 hours have been continuously under sail ahead of steady southerly winds and a slight following sea which is very good. When off watch and on our bunks, we are literally lulled into sleep by the gentle motion. Long may that last; not least because this gentle motion also helps our appetites.

 

Talking of appetites; for tea yesterday we had Darrell’s wife Lynn’s tasty flapjacks. We are very lucky with our supporters: Di (Welsh Cakes), Lynn (flap jacks) and Jackie (Lemon Drizzle cake) and we thank you all.

 

For supper last evening Peter cooked his ‘signature dish’, ‘Sausage Rougaille’, using the last of the Genuine Bangers from Saltford.

 

When we sail continuously for long periods we have to run the engine to top up the yacht’s batteries. We use quite a bit of electricity – the fridge and the auto-steering taking most. There is no shortage of other electrical devices onboard so a regular battery top-up when under sail is essential.

 

The green bananas are now ready to eat and we are promised bananas and custard for supper. Sailing is hard and hunger-making work.

 

Goodbye for today.