Most
of us managed a decent sleep last night, by one means or another. Ali and I
changed ends, Lorraine stuck with her bunk, and Jim adopted the starboard mid
cabin bunk, having listened to the anchor clanging in the bow roller for too
much of the previous night. All strategies worked, or exhaustion took
over…
More
wildlife today too: turtles out here – must be heading somewhere special, since
the bottom is a very long way down! Stormy petrels, our friend the skua, and
fulmar-like birds were around all day.
Likewise
more sail repair: the tape we put on the main the other day looked a bit loose
at some points, so we had it down to inspect and put some more retaining
stitches in. This seemed like a ten minute job, and in a sail loft maybe. Two
hours later, we allowed Ali off the boom and out of the stakapak (she took an
hour to get the blood back in her limbs). All done though, and we are back on
the wind.
Happy
hour – Lorraine’s favourite time of the day despite the absence of tequila -
finished off the work schedule. Guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips, beer and
cider – most of it went as intended though there were some slips betwixt cup and
lip!
The
wind has eased a bit, and now has more east in it. We are still managing to hold
to our course which is the direct route to the Azores, but expect to have to
shape more northerly tonight at some point, which will put a few more miles on
our passage. Still, we are making 6 knots and the seas have softened so no
banging and crashing: another good night’s sleep beckons!
Sweet
dreams all,
Watergaw
