We have
just crossed 23 degrees N, the Tropic of Cancer. Yes folks, we are now in the
Tropics – Yippee! Break out the swimsuits and sun cream! Err….not quite, it is
more like a miserable day on the Isle of Wight – windy, overcast and raining,
break out the foulies and hot chocolate!
A strange
aroma has started to emanate from “The Bamford Suite”, worryingly, from the
skipper’s bunk. Fortunately, the source has been identified as two gently
rotting cabbages stored thereunder. Simple fix – last night’s dinner had to
include cabbages. Only problem was it was Tom’s turn to cook, and it would be
fair to say he is far from the Michelin star level in the kitchen. Turns out
that fried rotting cabbage is not as bad as you might imagine!
We have
been spoilt for wildlife recently, with dolphins joining us every evening as we
enjoy our “sundowner” beers – maybe they can smell it? Last night saw a group
of about twenty playing around the bows, and at night they have given us some
beautiful displays, with phosphorescence pouring out behind them. It is worth
coming out here just to see that! *
Anna
spotted our first flying fish at lunchtime, remarkable little creatures that
soar for huge distances between the waves. We will have to inspect the deck for
them each morning as they have a tendency to throw themselves onto the boat
overnight, and can be pretty smelly by morning. On the delivery from Gibraltar
down to Las Palmas Tony got slapped around the face by one in the dark! Nobody
laughed – much! Hee hee!
On board
wildlife is limited to a small potted Basil plant named, err …. “Basil”, who
managed to stay on board after a meal in Las Palmas. Basil’s fate is in the
balance, as while Anna and Tom have shared their water with him, and tended to
his wilted and rather diseased looking leaves, hoping that with good care he
will make it to St Lucia alive, Tony and Peter have more sinister plans for
him…..
Sailing
wise, we are currently creaming along in the general direction of St Lucia at 8
knots. Despite the cloud and rain continually broad reaching in 15-25 knots of
wind feels pretty good. Our record speed is currently 13.7 knots surfing with
Anna at the helm. Boys being boys that record will have to be broken soon!
Time to
relieve Tony at the Helm, so that is all for now.
Love to all
at home
*So impressed
was Tom with the phosphorescence that he has taken to flushing the loo in the
dark in an effort to tempt some on board. No results as yet!
About the Author. My name is Tin Tin. I am a
small fluffy ARC bear, smuggled on board by Val in Las Palmas. Seeing as nobody
else was prepared to write a blog, it has fallen to me. I am here to cuddle the
skipper, and Anna is not talking to me because I refused to give her a cuddle
when she was feeling poorly. Stuff her – I am here for the boss