Putanesca

My first duty this morning is to say…………………….. Yes, it’s working !!!!!!

The watermaker is working – the jointed pipe dropped with a weight on the end of it, down the keel box, past the keel and into the water is picking up bubble free water and the unit is producing water. As we already had full tanks we didn’t run it for long so we have to temper our euphoria a little but the news allowed fresh water washing up and showers so this morning we intend to top the starboard tank up and hopefully I can report tomorrow that we are able to keep up with demand – I may even get the washing machine out.

Now you haven’t heard much from Barry and must wonder if he actually exists so here is a picture of our hero !

What a star !

With nearly 3 weeks of sailing in front of us, and having a little history within the crew of ‘mal de mar’, we were anxious to start in a conservative way until the crew find their sea legs. Accordingly we have maintained a modest sail plan and this is unfortunately reflected in our relative fleet position, coupled most probably by some others reverting to the ‘iron tops’ls’ during the calms of the first night. Our mantra has always been to look after the yacht and ourselves, take no risks and enjoy the experience so we intend to maintain this policy and wherever we finish will be eclipsed by the fact that we have finished.

Yesterday was spent running down wind under twin poled out yankees with a very tired crew that hadn’t slept very well if at all in the lumpy seas.

Imagine lying in a double bed (yes mine is a double bed all to myself in my own en-suite cabin – spoilt!) in an oppressive heat with the bed being randomly pitched through 25 degrees in all directions. The only policy in trying to get some sleep is to spread-eagle all one’s limbs to try to prevent being pitched out of bed. This is compounded by the Watt & Sea hydrogenerator  humming next to my ear and the wind generator whirring over my head. Spoilt or not, small, quiet, individual berths with a lee cloth closing off the open side are far more conducive to sleeping soundly!

Stephen’s commitment to fishing has to be admired as he patiently untangles ‘birds nests’ of fishing line and winds it all in and out. I am happy to report to the fishing community that a lure made out of a discarded crisp packet does work – rather too well as a monster took this and the tackle surrounding it leaving an empty line and a disappointed doctor. We will need to eat more crisps.

With the watermaker seemingly fixed we thought we could report all gear in full working order, in fact in comparison to most yachts in Mindelo, our ‘to do list’ was miniscule. We know of two yachts delayed waiting for parts and one turned back with a leaking rudder shaft after a huge amount of work in Mindelo involving divers fitting a replacement bearing which had been manufactured on the Island – the owner was known to us as ‘Austin Powers’ from the fancy dress party in Las Palmas, they were good company and we feel so sorry for them. By comparison, our deck wash pump tripping its thermal cut-out after extended use seems paltry as after a rest to cool down, it worked again.

Stephen writes:-

Now the watermaker is fixed due to brilliant Barry we can have showers and put away the plague ship flag. We were lucky to be visited by another pod of Dolphins early in the morning and one member demonstrated his/her flying ability. The wildlife, flying fish excluded, stayed invisible all day so nothing to report on this front. The fishing was less than successful as something `big’ took my crisp packet lure by managing to break the swivel. I used the dead flying fish the big seas had gifted us but although they were taken we received nothing in return except seaweed, I will be making a new lure today so will report back tomorrow. The Master was in a receptive mood yesterday after his snooze, so we have escaped the usual punishments although we know it will not last. Our night watch was uneventful and luckily I selected an orange from the orange/grapefruit store (the master obviously unable to distinguish between the two whilst shopping). There was no sign of any other vessels so we are alone in the empty sea and sky but we are our own little universe with our own(albeit peculiar) physical laws as we press on.

Crew in good shape and only slightly sleep deprived.

Bob writes:-

The skipper declared his hand this morning, advising that we will continue on our present course, slightly South of the direct route, to make use of the relatively good winds, 12 to 22 knots, and then point up when it goes light, using the Parasailor.

The skipper broke all bounds last night when he prepared a superb ‘Tart’s pasta’!  Much appreciated by the crew.

Today is also auspicious as the Master has declared that we may enjoy not only a shower but also a change of underwear. Much rejoicing by the crew even though ‘the change’ apparently means that I change with the Doc and Barry changes with Nick!

Barry is busy basking in the adulation following his watermaker triumph.