We awoke on Christmas Day to heavy cloud, with the odd thundery flash, and no wind but Father Christmas had delivered our stockings and very good they were too. (Thank you to Santa’s little helpers everywhere). We had an elevenses visit from dolphins (the big Flipper variety), bacon brie and cranberry rolls for lunch, spent hours trying to untangle the collapsed cruising chute from where it was strangling the foresail, then settled into champagne before a slap up dinner of chicken, roast spuds, sprouts, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and two types of stuffing followed by a delicious Christmas pud (from Harrods no less) with lashings of brandy butter.  Crackers were snapped and wine was consumed.  Yes, I did slip in a major crisis amongst the festive feasting but Bob, Fleur and Haley sorted it out with great aplomb while the cook had a leisurely afternoon nap.  It is probably Haley’s first Christmas up a mast.

You will note that we had the cruising chute up again.  Our goose winging was not particularly successful firstly because of the rolling motion and secondly because of the lack of progress. We worked out with great mathematical precision (ie drew lots of lines on a piece of paper) and realised that we were just as successful in moving towards our target going at 7 knots at an angle of less than 45 degrees than going in a straight line at 5 knots.

It hasn’t helped that we have had such a pathetic showing in the wind department for two days (hence collapsed cruising chute incident) so after consulting the weather grib map decided to head south to seek it out with the help of the motor.  We have uncovered the perfect wind so Boxing Day has brought ideal sailing conditions.  With a true wind of 16 knots, we are surging along at 7 knots and more. It is blissful.

And Gerry?  Shhh.  He seems to be ok.  Lets not spoil what was a great Christmas by even thinking about him.