Mischief
gets into "Deep water". 4000 meters to be exact.
"Right old mess you've got us
into this time Skipper!!!!"
As we left Falmouth the wind was blowing old boots, 25 knots were
recorded over the deck. Mabel the mouse decided Mischief should be dressed with
one reef in her main sail and a full Genoa. The Skippers words "She's
moving like a Rat out of drain pipe"
The passage plan was centred around the famed Cornish pasty that would
be consumed whilst still hot as we headed off towards The Bay of Biscay. Precision
planning allowed just enough time to procure these from the local bakery, the
other side of Falmouth.
Out of the lee of Cornwall the wind increased and the sea grew, waves
were breaking over the bow and the gunnels were often submerged. This
proved too much for two of the Dave's and inevitably one or two of the pasties
reappeared to the satisfaction of the local fish stock and improving Mischiefs
carbon footprint no end. If the sea state didn't induce nausea amongst the crew,
the aroma that affronted the olfactory glands as we sailed passed a dead whale certainly
did. The poor creature on our beam was
causing frenzy amongst scavenging seagulls. The awful stink was only masked
when the skipper removed his boots.
An impressive 11.3 knots allowed us to nip inside the traffic separation
zone at Ouesant.
Night passed by uneventfully except every Dave on board was trying
desperately not to go below as the boat was rocking and rolling like Elvis's
pelvis. Dave, the first mate gained "The man of the match" award for
facing the galley to ensure all crew were well and had plenty of hot
drinks.
As we dropped over shelf into the Bay of Biscay, we swapped sails to the
Code Zero now known as Cody and we popped Heidi, the Watt and sea into the
water to help keep the batteries charged.
Over the next few days as Heidi and Cody toiled, the crew were
distracted with sightings of Pilot Whales, high spirited dolphins that are of
course active predators. We watched them
encircling their prey working as a team to trap their dinner. One night a lonely dolphin who we named Derek
stayed with us for two watches, using our bow and stern waves to ease his passage
across the bay. Food was taken very seriously throughout the trip. One calm evening as the sun set, all of the
Dave’s enjoyed Chicken Provençal together in the cockpit.
Neverland under the skipper Tinker Bell, despite popular belief was not “away
with the fairies” and was managing to use windless moments to search for the lost
boys whilst completing training exercise with Peter and Wendy. Each time Neverland called up on the radio
our crew of Dave’s cried “TICTOC TICTOC TICTOC.” Mischief’s photographer Dave offered to shoot
Grey Goose as they came into view on our stern.
For artistic purposes it was suggested that they may like to pose their fittest
crew member on the bow to enhance the image.
Instead they headed into the wind raised their spinnaker and turned off
the engines. Grey Goose was not grey as
they flew the kite and headed off at speed in the wrong direction!
The last day of the trip was dominated with decisions amongst the fleet
as to the optimum time beer and champagne should go into the fridge. The previous skipper of Mischief suggested we
might not need a drink if we get in at 3am. Needless to say the mutiny that followed saw
the old skipper’s role redefined to Cabin Boy. This jovial chitchat was brought
to a sudden and unexpected end when the Code Zero Halyard shackle
snapped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily with
skillful actions by the previous skipper under the guidance of Mabel and the
help of the crew the collapsed sail was brought safely and unharmed back on
board.
We arrived safely into Bayona at about 3 am and were greeted by the crew
of Grey Goose with a well-earned beer, hugs and cheers of success. Woohoo another successful passage: thank you to
Mabel our proficient skipper and to Mischief for keeping us safe.
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