Wings Blog for Tuesday, Nov 5
Yesterday afternoon, smack in the middle of a squall, Howard and Dave started on about how the bow of the boat was too low to the waves. An inspection of the forward locker found a secret swimming pool and Dave promptly dived in. The two them then spent the afternoon pumping out a huge amount of the Atlantic-- not an easy feat when the only tools you've got are about $10 worth of kit from K-Mart. If this problem continues, Howard will soon resemble Popeye... he could win an all-comers arm wrestling contest in any Norfolk bar.
The event of the day has been our battle with the errant jib sail, the one that went kaput a couple of nights ago. Since then, we have fought skirmishes across the foredeck every few hours, mainly in the dark and rough seas as it tried to slip off into the water and Dave wrestled it into submission as Tommy tried to keep the boat straight. This afternoon, Howard lead a full frontal attack with the entire crew. The result is an Origami Sail neatly tethered to the stern deck. See if you can get out now, Mr Sail!!!
It seems there may also be a covert competition among the crew for the Best Bruise Competition. Tommy, one of the most experienced sea hands suddenly and uncharacteristically took a backwards fall from a stool dinging his head and Bob, hanging by one arm from a grab handle, managed to tear one of his puny biceps--we think it's a pathetic ruse to avoid kitchen duties.
Howard, in an attempt to bring some discipline to the crew's eating routine has initiated a Health Habits program, imitating one of last year's more serious crews. He has locked up all the Doritos in the ships's safe and halved our notional rum ration.So if we were drinking rum, we would be drinking only half.
Finally, the fridge is on the fritz again and Pat is furious. It froze all our lettuce and most of our eggs last night.
If it freezes our Stella there will be hell to pay. At least the sea is becoming less troubled.
Anonymous Bob
PS from Anonymous Pat: Just finished a midnight shift with Bob--beautiful night, bright stars, boat rocketing along, although everything is absolutely soaked.
PPS: Also, a shout-out to the Wing Nuts -- lots of love to you guys!