30 49N 50 25W
Osprey
John Bowering
Thu 28 May 2009 22:31
"Notes from a Small Boat with Too Much Wind" - well today started in frustrating manner, John handing over to Charles at 12am with the winds playing silly buggers, so before John was even asleep he was back on deck assisting Charles in putting her onto the Starboard Tack. John then retired, but the fun continued for Charels with two more tacks before 0330 hrs and then some wind, so that when he handed back to John Osprey was doing a reasonable 5 knots. Charles then retired to his bunk, in the hope of some sleep - but as John has explained above this was not to be. Whilst John valiantly fought the sea, Charles valiantly fought his bunk - starboard to port, and back, with a few high jumps for fun.
Anyway, Charles then realised the Boss may need some help so he duly headed to the scene of the battle - where John was fighting Neptune, unfortunately because of the wind direction we had to head west again - so our one step forward, two steps back continues. Charles was allowed to drive - and drive he did, with John's comment about Formula 1 in the back of his mind he reached 9.7 knots maximum. For anyone who hasn't tried helming a yacht in rough seas it is difficult to describe the sheer brute force requried to hold a course - both John & Charles had a great deltoid workout by the time the wind began to calm.
Some members of the crew have given Charles a new nickname - Jaja Binks, due to his amazing clumsy ability. So far on the trip he has cut his foot whilst kicking a glass, repeatedly bashed his knee so that a graze from rugby has still not healed, collided with the fridge catch whilst working under the sink, and then today performed his greatest feat yet - proving he could fly and then immitate a fly squashed on a windscreen. This amazing stunt occurred when a rogue wave hit the starboard side, which caused the pilothouse table seat to slide 4 inches which propelled Charles across the pilothouse, giving John a passing blow on the way and then connecting with the window. But don't worry, the previously established lack of brain means no permanent damage occurred.
As for Budda, he has recently been seen to be guarding the handheld compass with the same look in his eye as Smeagel has in Lord of the Rings. To start with Kuki & Charles thought he was using it as his sceptre - to prove his command of SY Osprey, but when he started calling it "my precious" they decided he had finally spent too much time in the Aft Cabin meditating and what grasp he had on reality has finally been loosend.
So for tonight the hopes are that we can continue to head North/North East at best speed, and hopefully get some sleep. Jaja Binks is going to retire to "The Middle Kingdom" to lick his wounds, leaving Smeagel to play with his orb and Kuki to conitnue her horizontal inspection of the pilothouse bunk roof.