Skye Blue "To motor or not to motor, that is the question"
Skye Blue sailing
Stephen and Malene
Sun 4 Dec 2022 11:13
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Well hello there ARC fans. You read this as we enter our
third and hopefully final week. Throughout the journey we have shared our new
experiences and musings but we would now like to share some of the more quirky,
mundane and otherwise more repetitive activities and conversations of a
transatlantic crossing.
But before we do, a few hot off the press news
items.
News Bulletin 1 - We have a new nickname for Neil
(formerly known as Flashheart). Borne out of his insatiable appetite and ever
willingness to finish off the team leftovers. Yesterday someone described
him as being like a "wheelie bin", only for someone seconds later to chime in
-"more like a Neily-bin!". Sometime this stuff writes itself. Sorry
Neil we know you loved your Flasheart moniker but the crew's word is
final.
News Bulletin 2 - We say a fond farewell to our 9th crew
member - our favourite boat bucket. Lost at sea on 3rd December @ 4.22pm - taken
from us far too young. After the crew rallied valiantly to save "Old
Bluey", in what became a nail biting exchange of Crew vs. Ocean. On our final
attempted rescue sail by, Old Bluey rotated releasing his final air pocket of
breath only to sink slowly down towards the depth of the Ocean floor. You will
be sadly missed. You helped us collect sea water for deck showers, you stored
sponged up excess water from the bilges, you held potatoes as they were being
peeled, you were an ever listening ear during those long night shifts. Take care
old friend - rest in peace.
News Bulletin 3 - Our new boat signage is almost
finished. Malene in her usual act of daring-do, managed to peel off the old
"Skye 51" label on the boom and replaced it with a shiny new "Skye Blue" sign.
Oh what a font everyone remarked! So here we are finish-photo ready, aiming to
look our best as we coast into Rodney Bay in style.
New Bulletin 4 - Last and certainly not least - our old
reliable friend over the last 13 days - the 'Trade Winds' have deserted us.
Those who are YellowBrick tracker savvy may have noticed our diminishing pace
and erratic changes in course. This has not been due to our desire to take the
scenic route home, but rather a need to reach those sought after pockets of
gusting wind. A recent lunch of beans-on-toast notwithstanding. Alas it came to
a head late yesterday afternoon with heavy heart a decision to switch on the
motor. A strategic sailing move but in part also to stave off a potential
crew mutiny. All was settled shortly afterwards when a semblance of speed was
restored to 5 Kts.
Moving on to crew observations, common quotes, and
otherwise surreal but less reported activities of the last 2
weeks...
1. Does anyone want another apple? To make a dent in the
apple orchard's worth of supply we bought pre-departure.
2. You know that water bottle push-pump dispenser thingy
- best buy ever!
3. At least once a day each of us will ask where
something is. She will respond with tolerance and know exactly where said item
is.
4. Hvor er min frokost? / What's for dinner? /
What are you going to have as your first meal back on shore? First meal?? - I'm
having a cold beer!
5. Are there seconds for dinner? (usually
Neily-bin)
6. Who is on the blog today? Usually followed by evasion
of eye contact amongst crew members.
7. A comment of - "It's scorching on deck", as someone
leaves to go below deck. Only to return 20 mins later saying "blimey its too hot
in the galley". This cycle repeats for at least 4 hours.
8. Ross & Neil mainly trying to trick Skipper
Stephen into revealing his total sailing date and time of arrival prediction for
our sweepstake. We prevailed on day 13!
9. Someone says "I smell, I need a wash". Which is
repeated often for 3 days before said person actually does wash
themselves,
10. To the person at the helm - "Are there any other
boats on the scanner?" Quickly followed with "what's their speed and
bearing?"
11. "Do we have enough fuel to motor yet?" Followed by
Stephen under his breath - wish we had gotten those 2 extra cans of
diesel.
12. The war cry of "Deck cushions away!" if there are
any mutterings of turmeric being in that day's dinner. Apparently its kryptonite
to the soft furnishings of a newly refurbished Yacht.
13. People walking about in little more than pants and
other skimpy under garments. It's like back stage at a Paris fashion show in
here at times - less 'haute couture' and more 'hotchin' couture' (meaning
busy and not so nice - for our non-Scottish followers). The look is so deeply
unsexy that eyelids are no longer batted.
Ok folks - I've rambled on for far too long. Many thanks
to all the well wishers out there. We're on the home straight now. See you in
Caribbean time!
Skye Blue Crew Ross - Out
xx |
