Since our last entry, we have enjoyed an amazing meal which will no doubt be mentioned in each watch’s entry as it really was that good.  The White watch have posted up some pictures from the meal.

(Above) Andy at the helm and Greg doing his hair.

The wind has remained fair but is a little calmer.  This has had the effect of flatter sailing and more comfortable sleeping, but at the expense of boat speed.  We are however using the time to learn new skills like sail trimming. During our first watch after the meal (2000 to 0000) we enjoyed some classical movie music soundtracks and tried desperately to keep the boat speed up without having to resort to a time consuming sail change.  The elements conspired against us and just before the end of our shift we all agreed the deed had to be done.  Greg and Byrne stripped down to some lighter clothing and headed down to the forepeak to prepare the No. 1 Yankee.   Blue watch were scheduled to come on duty so we all (Blue and Red watch) toiled together for the next hour and 15 minutes, getting the No. 1 Yankee from the forepeak out on to the deck, dropping, unhanking and temporarily tying up the No. 2 Yankee, hanking on and hoisting the No. 1 Yankee and finally flaking, bagging and storing the No. 2 Yankee back in the forepeak.  Overall, the procedure went rather well.  Anne’s team (Blue watch) were kind enough to give us an extra 30 minutes snooze (before waking us for our next watch) as a thank you for staying on beyond our allotted time.

During the 0400 to 0800 shift Windy spent some time driving and explaining some of the finer practical points for trimming sails.  He showed us how we’d made a small mistake with the tension on the Vang which resulted in some of the air spilling from the leech (back end) of the sail.  This slight correction earned us an extra half knot!  All this training was taking place during some pleasant although rather grey conditions and a somewhat lazy wind (i.e. it is too lazy to go around you and tries to go through you).  At around 0600 we put on some more classical music tunes which were rather relaxing and suited the gentle sailing and early morning mood.  It turns out Greg loves most classical music especially anything pre 1750s.

We are just completing our 1200 to 1430 shift (normally it would end at 1400 but today is another time-zone change) and I (Byrne) am typing up the blog entry.  Andy has just popped in to let me know they have just seen another school of dolphins, this time a greater number of them.  I’m a little disappointed to have missed out but suspect we will be treated to further displays by these amazing creatures.

Time to finish off as the table is required for lunch.

Before signing off, there is one minor point that should probably be addressed.  We are indeed Red watch, despite what Blue watch thinks. For some odd reason they keep referring to us as our old colours.  No doubt they will work it all out by the time we arrive in Greenland.

NEWS JUST IN… Another 22 nm and we will reach 1000 nm since out departure (as at 1300 [adjusted for time-zone change] today).

Until next time, the Red Watch (Andy, Byrne, Greg and Linda)