Fish, Fish and more Fish! Day 8 Lazy Dawn's Ocean Passage
Lazydawn
Tue 29 Nov 2005 09:37
 After yesterdays display of fishing skills, Hannibal like gutting, and
culinary prowess, word had obviously got around and the local Dorado population
thought they would give us a battle.They came bigger, stronger, feistier and in
pairs. Yes, one for Chris to battle and display that 'hunter gatherer'
instinct in him for 20 minutes with a meaty rod in his blistered hand, the other
not quite so aggressive on the towing line fought with Pete. Although
Chris's was definitely the fatter and stronger, Pete's was unfortunately
very slightly bigger than Chris's. I had the casting vote, even though I know
which side my bread is buttered, I voted Pete the winner! The photo is the
evidence, but in Chris's defence, the photo doesn't do his catch as much
justice. Although we threw Chris's fish back, after such a fight I think it
unfortunately became part of the food chain, suffering further damage as he
tried to let him go. Two fights were enough for the men, so the lines were
withdrawn  until tomorrow. After Chris's
gallant eye opening dealing with his slippery fish behind the wheel, it was
Pete's turn. One was butchery, the other fishmongery.........after the mess
yesterday, the technique has definitely improved. Unfortunately when trying to
douse the fish with alcohol, a lot less macabre than a winch handle,
Pete dropped the gin bottle over board - luckily freebee gin from the ski
club ball and not much left. So out came the Finnish firewater, lethal and
disgusting by all accounts, to finish the job.Oh no I think it might be my turn
tomorrow!
So now I await Dorado steaks cooked this time by
chef Chris :-)
Back to the sailing, we sailed well under a reefed
main and a genoa overnight and maintained a steady 7 kts. Still heading a more
south westerly route in an attempt to avoid a calm patch to the west of us, we
have finally found ourselves in 3kts of breeze, so unwillingly we have turned on
the engine. Not all bad, as this has meant we have been able to
confidently turn on the water maker..........WE ARE CLEAN!!!! Showers for us
all, although there ended up a competition on who could use the least amount of
water, and I didn't come last!
The trades are predicted even further south, at 16
degrees North. We are now at 17 degrees 48 mins, so we are have another 60 - 70
miles until we will turn west, come what may!
So although not a great sailing mileage day, we
have seen dolphins and whales, caught fish, showered and generally chilled. It
feels like a holiday :-)
Must go, the wine is being opened!
Chris Jo and Peter
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