Change of plan perhaps

Itchycoo
Thu 16 Aug 2018 13:23
A much brighter crew greets the new day. Swift progress overnight and 143 miles run on the 24 hours to 8.00 has prompted Digital Dave and the navigators to re-think plans. At current speeds we would be approaching Arrecife in darkness hours tonight and even the marinas further down Lanzarote might still be in darkness when we arrive - and as all sailors will tell you, entering an unfamiliar harbour in darkness has its issues. We are therefore thinking about (no decision yet taken) heading direct to Grand Caneria - the final destination for the boat and its home for the next three months. Whether we can arrive there in daylight on Friday (with time to spare) will depend on progress in the next 18 hours. Winds are forecast to be helpful but its only a forecast - watch this space. The alternative plan has the added benefit of delivering Paul to the same island as the one on which Andy should by then be staying so, if this were a democracy (which it most certainly isn't) it would have his vote.

Our current position at 10.00 Thursday is 30:14.2N 012:49.5W and we are heading 227 degrees towards the west coast of Lanzarote. I am sure as I type this that Analogue Dave has his charts out and is checking what he would be advising. If he is flying to Lanzarote today (as mentioned yesterday) then could he please stand on the cliffs and wave as we go by. If he is not, then perhaps caution is the order of the day. We will no doubt meet up soon and we probably owe you a beer for the inconvenience.

A bizarre thing happened yesterday - Paul decided to bail out possible gas (invisible to the eye) from the bilges using a plastic cup and bucket. For reasons too complicated to explain here, he had decided that there might be some gas there (its heavier than air so sinks below deck). Watching this spectacle caused Roger much amusement and giggling - particularly when he was asked to empty the seemingly empty bucket over the side. All floorboards were up as we gave the boat a good airing afterwards and problem (if it existed at all) solved.

Still no solution to the corn flake issue - the only boat coming near us was Wine Trader. Our attempts to stop him and sample his wares failed.

We haven't mentioned catering these last few days - mainly because its been excellent throughout with Paul leading and Kevin and Roger taking their turn. You will note that Bob is not mentioned here and there is a reason for that. Contact Helen for details.

Yesterday, we focused on the watch system and as a result made changes overnight. At least some of the crew have benefited from the offer of others to do extra night hours. One major benefit of heading for Grand Caneria from here is no more night sailing after tonight - all other plans involve some night hours before arriving at the final destination - so let's hope we can make enough ground today to satisfy all.

Happy Thursday from the "Its all too beautiful" cruise


--
Sent Via Iridium Sat Phone

http://blog.mailasail.com/itchycoo