Day - 1
Symatchmaker
Sat 22 Nov 2008 19:51
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We have all been busy provisioning -cleaning -
stowing and generally preparing Matchmaker for the next 18 days Ocean Passage -
2800 Nautical Miles to St Lucia.
The crew ; Peter - Simon - Jen - Calum - and
Katherine are all in high spirits we are excited and yet also apprehensive
about the adventure that lies ahead ; the weather forecast is pretty good - we
are watching a low that is in the central Atlantic - this means that we shall
probably head due south for the first few day so that we get into the NE Trades
as early as possible. The medium term forecast is for lighter than normal winds
-hence our current strategy of going south until the butter melts and then hang
a right! This is the traditional route that the old square riggers
followed.
We seem to be completely full of fruit and veg -
every cabin has hanging nets which contain Bananas - or Melons, Apples, Oranges
and plenty of Limes and Lemons - the positive affect is that the boat smells
really fresh and citrusy!
Calum; in his previous career was a professional
fisherman off the Highlands of Scotland - and so he has volunteered to be head
of Fishing. Yesterday we spent $$$ on lures - lines and scales to weigh our
catch - we are pretty confident that we shall make some good catches for eating
and that this will nicely supplement our already luxious diet plan.
Tonight is our last dry land evening and so we plan
a local restuarant - then to watch the celebratory fireworks before turning in
for an early night.
... and then the big day tomorrow!
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