Sunday 27th  November 2022

19^o11.9N  29^o09.7W

Today's Blog by Peter (Time zone: UTC -1)

No need for any personal introductions here:  I’m the guy who naps at every opportunity (except on watch!).  I have volunteered (OK, been tasked with) writing todays blog – so there goes my morning nap.

It is difficult to know where to begin.  Previous bloggers have filled their spiels with culinary delights, descriptions of racing gybes (next one hoped to beat the current record of 58 minutes) and fishing.  Each day’s format varies a little from the previous day.  Our watch system ensures that everyone gets a turn at all the different tasks, principally lunch and dinner. The rotation causes havoc with my afternoon naps sometimes it is between lunch and afternoon tea, other times between tea and happy hour.  As a result I have sometimes missed afternoon tea and cake – though never happy hour. Everyone keeps busy with sunbathing, reading (courtesy of Borrowbox), crosswords, courtesy of cryptic puzzle books, listening to Harry Potter books plus whatever apps were downloaded on to iPads while there was still wifi.  As per the title, every day is like a weekend. News of what is happening in the outside world is restricted to the odd snippet in incoming mails.

Those not familiar with Serendipity may wonder when all the sailing activity happens.  The true answer is not often.  George, the autopilot does virtually all the steering only needing the occasional “left a bit”,  “right a bit”,  “stay on course”, “keep the same angle to the wind”.  Sails only need major adjusting for changes in wind and / or course.  The wind so far has been 15kts (slow) – 25kts (lively) and almost dead behind.  As a result we left on port gybe (mainsail out to starboard), avoided Fuerteventura, put the pole up to port with the headsail, turned SW and ran with a poled our headsail for the next 3 days.  Then came the racing gybe (everything to port moved to starboard and vice versa) already  three days ago and doesn’t look likely to change in the foreseeable.

One excitement, not previously mentioned is that we are catching up with the smaller boats at the back of the ARC.  They started a day and 50 miles ahead of us.  It does, however, take a surprising length of time to pass any of them even though we are faster by over a knot.

Off to morning coffee then the midday watch.