Shelena - The little things pass the time. Day 2

The first days at sea are tough trying as we all do to catch up on sleep
when possible. Upset stomachs do not help. Other yachts have the same
problem but we are well equipped and all are now fine. We suspect it was
consequent on poor food handling at the last restaurant we ate at. We also
need to learn about Shelena. How to get the water maker running and the
generator too. Most challenging is gybing because we need to bring down the
pole that supports the genoa sheet, the one at the bow. This is quite a
complex series of manoeuvres because there are three lines supporting the
pole; one forward, one aft and one holding it aloft. The genoa sheet needs
changing too. After the genoa there is the main sail with its preventer to
be released, re-stowed on the boom then the opposite preventer put in place.
We are a new crew and these things need to be learned. We are improving each
time we do the manoeuvre.

The cutlery draw catch decided to give way today. It has been bothersome
from day 1 but today the keeper broke. Fortunately, I have a spare aboard,
so an easy job to replace. No! No, life is not that easy. The spare catch is
more robust and the keeper screw holes located in different places.
Inaccessible as these things are David was the man for the job. On an
unstable platform it is not easy and temperatures of about 29 degrees do not
help. All is done now. Our other repair will need to be to the red ensign
which I found draped over the aft rail like a discarded rag. The line
holding it to the flag staff had broken. No big deal with that. Just
another little thing to put right.

Incidentally. We measured our first 24 hours at sea as 185Nm. An encouraging
start.

Phil