Beach. Bum
Rhiann Marie - Round the World
Stewart Graham
Mon 14 Dec 2009 13:38
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We are about to depart from our anchorage in
Barbuda for Antigua. We have some guests to drop off some rigging to fix and our
daughter Rhiann to pick up - which we are all so excited about now - we cant
wait!
Yesterday morning was spent up the mast in 23- 24
knots of wind with the boat rolling around at the anchor. The purpose of this
trip was to secure the furler inside the mast which was clattering around
inside, after us having removed the nainsail, creating a bit of a din to
say the least. I had to work with both hands to thread nylon line round the
furler and bring it to the slot in the mast to secure it. This meant that I only
had my legs to hold me in against the 90ft mast as the wind was doing its
best to blow me to the backstay! This is of course childs play compared to
these open 60 skippers who have to go up in the southern ocean or
some other exotic place while flying along at speed in a big sea and strong
wind. Respect! While trying to cling onto the mast with my legs I imagine that
in the conditions in the southern ocean on an open sixty it would be a little
bit like riding a bucking bronco bareback up a vertical cliff!
Anyway all was forgotten in the afternoon after the
clattering was suspended and we made an expedition to the 11 mile beach
that was all ours. Craig dumped usd on the beach with the RIB and then
anchored off as we could not find a way to secure the RIB to the shore with
swell that was running. It was very pleasant and we returned to the boat later
where we all took our places. Marlene and Brent sunbathing, Trish showering
Craig lying down on the bed doing something with his gadget
(electronic) and me skorkelling round the boat scrubbing her bum. I see a
pattern developing here. Sense of humour is still on
hold.
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