I have now established a pretty stable daily schedule which goes something like this:

I start the day at 7am ish. I don’t set the alarm but for the last few days the sun streaming through the cabin widow has woken me up. On a number of occasions I have had a moments confusion over where I am. I don’t bother getting dressed but potter about in my pants. I put the kettle on, go out into the cockpit and assess the situation. I then start up engine and run on tick over for an hour and plug in all appliances that require charging (lap tops phones etc). I note the wind direction, my direction and speed and decided if and how to change the rigging. Today I took a reef out and altered course slightly south as there had been a wind shift from east to south east. 

Also while engine running I empty any bilge water (which has reduced considerably from yesterday).

8am - shut down engine, check battery condition have weetabix (3 with sugar and evaporated milk).

9am - have as good a wash as possible and check myself over for cuts bruises and apply any medication - bit of a dodgy belly this morning, I think due to some gone off butter yesterday. Thrown butter away and feeling ok after weekabix.

9.30am - down load and assess weather report for next 3 days sailing.

10am - take log -  this is when I determine how well we did yesterday and alter course accordingly. Today I have moved bearing to slightly south.

11am - this is my blog time (bloody blog) - joke. 

12 am - prepare some sort of lunch and any remains have for tea, I think spag bol today.

1pm - check all round then read and rest until 3 pm normally in cabin.

3pm to 5pm - start preparations for night and next day - i.e. fill up water, check fuel levels, tidy cockpit and cabin, reef for night and final check on sail settings. Start engine for afternoon charge up (5pm to 6pm)

5pm to 7 pm - have tea whatever left over from lunch and watch sunset normally about 6.30pm and prepare for night.  (Listened to Johnny Cash yesterday)

7pm to 8pm - its dark at this time so go to bed and listen to down loads, watch videos or read until 8pm

8pm - sleep with 2 hour wake up calls during night to check systems and boat. Last night during my 2pm look around, it was such a calm sea and clear night sky I stayed up for an hour watching shooting starts.

There you have it, a typical day. Each is always different... for example today I need to fix the oven. I can light the gas burners but they go out as soon as I let go. I think I know the problem, there is a thermocouple that opens a port once the gas gets to a temperature. I think a wire has broken so I just need to replace that. I will do that later today….  no more fray bentos pies until fixed.     

Ps had confirmation last night that AIS is working fine, it came on due to presence of ship nearby

Aye for now

Ben

Pic of my world 10.30pm today