Unwelcome guests...
Alize
Mike Somerville
Sat 1 Dec 2012 17:18
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21:51.1N 25:56.6W
Cockroaches are potentially a big problem for all boats,
especially in hot climates. Some trundle up the
mooring from the dock straight onto the boat, but
the smarter ones hitch a ride as stowaways
with the new vegetable deliveries and other provisions. Often the cartons
contain their eggs which will then hatch on the boat.
Almost all the boats we have talked to have had these
unwelcome guests. Just before the start one boat was 'up all night on a whole
boat search' after one of the creatures was discovered to the cry of 'Mummy its
ENORMOUS and its in my bed'. Not great for them - all only hours before the
off.
So far we have avoided all such visitors save a few fruit
flies and a couple of small spiders. We quickly cleared all cardboard off the
boat, Barbara meticulously washed and sterilised all vegetables before they were
allowed aboard and bug barriers (based on chopped up water bottles) were placed
on the mooring lines all the time Alize was in Las Palmas. We are told that
CDs on the lnes are also an effective barrier, (Barry Manilow especially).
Meanwhile we are enjoying more super Easterly winds which
are helping us get further South and West. We have studied the 6 day forecast
and are trying to avoid a potential wind hole which might develop on the track
in about four days time as a reult of the deep LOW over the West
Atlantic. Our strategy is to get South of 15N to avoid this problem.
Hopefuly those further North of us will be slowed by this!
So, we are now on a fast beam reach, making about 8.5kts
with occasional surfs up to 10kts in the magnificent Atlantic swell.. A pod of
dolphins just joined us for a few miniutes of fun surfing our stern
wave...
We are having to watch chafe very carefully - wear on
sheets where they cross the life lines, on the genoa where it crosses the
pullpit and of course the mains'l on the spreaders are
particularly vulnerable spots.
Fixing things continues - Barbara sorted out Mike L's
phone which wouldn't boot so now he can listen to his music on the night watches
again! Meantime Barbara is listening to Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and
reading "A voyage for a madman" about the 1968 single handed round the world
race.
Mike, Tim, Barbara & Mike |