Free Spirit blog - 3rd December. Andy's
bit...
So... how are things so far? This is day 10 at sea,
or at least I think it is - yes, I know this because we haven't had a beer for
10 days now - a most unusually long time. Well, OK we did have a glass of
champagne for Carole's birthday yesterday. We were going to give Carole the day
off from domestic tasks yesterday too. Sadly, we all failed spectacularly. This
is probably because the meals that keep comig up from her galley would be
appreciated in the finest London restaurants - thanks Carole, we love you! Sadly
though, I don't think this voyage is going to do my diet much
good...
Navigationally this ARC crossing has had all the
hallmarks of perfection :)) No trade winds to be seen, squalls, weather
fronts and a full on storm! I keep checking the gps to make sure that we aren't
50 degrees North!! Actually, here at 17 degrees North, the weather is gorgeous
when the sun is out, as it has been today; except, there is a lack of wind now!
We have got oursleves on a great circle route though, so at least every mile
under the keel is a mile towards St Lucia - hooray!! We've been guessing at our
arrival date in the Caribbean. Optimistically I'm still going for the 13th
December. The others think I'm mad, but I can see that we are so far South we
ought to pick up the equitorial current which could push up to 1.5kts in our
favour. Also, the wind direction is more favorable now and given a bit more
strength, it could well be kite up and off we go!! At least I hope so, I've got
a Christmas dinner in Southampton with my beautiful girlfriend, Jo, on the 18th
and I could do with 24/48 hours at least to chill out in St Lucia first.
Otherwise I don't think a man walking jet lagged from a plane after 20+ days at
sea is going to create the impression I'm after for her.
As I write, I seem to have escaped most of the sail
repairing (blown out genoa in the storm) but I see that Carole now has her
cookbook out, so I shall pretend to go and do some nav and keep a low
profile:)))
Bye for now...