On 4am-8am (boat time) watch.
Now that the tradewinds have kicked in and, in the last 12 hours
strengthened, we are clocking up some impressive speeds. Currently under single
reefed main and 75% rolled genoa (probably a bit over-canvassed) we are clocking
up a consistent 10 knots plus.
We celebrated breaking the 500nm barrier during supper yesterday and it
looks like we will break the 400nm barrier before the end of this watch.
Sleeping is difficult as the sea is choppy and the noise of
rushing/slamming water and straining ropes more noticeable than when going more
slowly.
It is Yellow Watch’s (final?) turn to cook and I am trying to get some
bread baked for breakfast. But, as a petulant TV chief might say, “how can I be
expected to work under such conditions!”. Even though we are not heeling or
‘corkscrewing’ in a way that a monohull might, there is still quite a bit of
jerking and rolling around. Things tend to slide around rather than tip, and we
are short of sufficient non-slip matting to ensure that things that should not
slip stay put.
Vin and Darek (the rest of Yellow Watch) are in the driving seat and on
look-out whilst I am bread-making. I think that Vin is actually reading National
Geographic on his ipad. Surprisingly, we are seeing only the odd commercial ship
on the AIS or radar – no other ARC boats yet. We do know that several are close
and are looking to racing them in to St. Lucia.
Oh, and briefly saw some dolphins yesterday. They seemed to be in a hurry
to go somewhere and didnt stop to play.
Bye
Craig
PS: I seem to have developed a craving for ice cream which is going to have
to wait until St. Lucia to be satisfied. So, if anyone is reading this in St.
Lucia, can I please place an advance order for a large ice cream sundae to go
with my rum punch. Thanks.