Mischief - Log Day 8: All mouth and Trousers and the one that got away

26 November 2017 Sunday 0830 20 deg 55.7'N 025 deg 51.9'W

We have decided to head South to catch the ever elusive trade winds and at 0300 we were tracking South on 180 degs upwind (of course). However the wind moved round and headed us meaning we were now aiming toward Africa rather than St Lucia and as the rum punch in the former is not as renowned as that in the latter we decided to tack. This was literally on change of watch and Neal and I had sat for three hours watching us get further away from our destination than we started - very depressing for us. Of course the tack meant we were pointing again to St Lucia but too far North to save us from the impending light patch over to the West, but at least their watch (Dave and Alf) was achieving positive VMG.

When Neal awoke with a start for our 0600 shift for some reason he began to yodel in a very unnatural manner, not that yodelling of any description is natural. He was trying to say he was awake I think but it didn't quite come out like that. But when he and I went back on deck we had to tack again and were again aiming towards Africa - Groundhog Day and only 0600. So we had to sort this out and yet further discussions were held between the Crews Union and management and as with all industrial mediation we ended up with a compromise so rolled away the genoa, put the engine on and went straight into the wind (what wind there was) on 230 degs. All sides thereby satisfied we settled for a long day of motoring and sunbathing.

As the sea is now flat calm Wendy has perked up no end and took some breakfast, looking much improved this morning and very chatty.

Come 1300 Dave offered all showers!! So Alf and myself had one followed by Neal which was excellent - and then the water ran out!! Seems the water gauge that had read 3/4 full was not working properly and we had a lot less than it advertised. Poor Wendy had to wait until the water maker had done its stuff but she has emerged a new person!

The SSB radio net demonstrates that boats are straddled all over the region searching for wind having had tons from the wrong direction only a short while ago. Indeed we hear that 10 boats have turned around and are heading back to Las Palmas for whatever reason and some 30 odd boats are making for Cape Verde Islands probably to effect repairs and refuel. Luckily we have sufficient fuel to motor through this hole and to carry on and we have no damage, now that the washing machine is back on its' hinges and Wendy's shower rail is back in place. We even have full water tanks again! And we still soldier on under engine on 230 with what wind there is still directly on the nose hoping the NE winds will kick in at some point.

Which brings me somehow on to vegetables. We have continually been throwing vegetables over the side since we left Las Palmas. There is a trail of oranges, onions, tomatoes etc stretching all the way back to the start. A few onions didn't even make it to the start but we had the opportunity to replace a few before we left. The trouble is they were all neatly delivered in boxes hand picked by the staff at the supermarket and all ready to eat then - not in a week's or so time, and regardless of how carefully we stowed them. Supermarkets do not sell unripe produce as there probably isn't demand! The upshot is that we are all likely to arrive in St Lucia should we ever arrive in St Lucia, with scurvy. I wonder if there is any vitamins B, C and D in gin? I hope so.......

The things you find out about people you thought you knew quite well! Seems that our Skipper Dave wears Wendy's trousers and if he wears these, then what else I wonder? I refer to her oilies but why doesn't he wear his own.....hum. We at least now know who owns the trousers in that household!

We had an SSB radio call with Mad Monkey this afternoon and it would seem that they have caught a number of fish, including a 35lb Sunfish this afternoon. Dave immediately after the transmission rushed on deck and threw our line out plus another lure on the end of the hand line. That was an hour ago and guess what......nothing! What is better news though is that they are experiencing a light North Easterly breeze down on 18 deg North - we are a way off that at 20 deg 18' so some 100 miles away but at least we now know that the wind can blow from that direction down there so we are getting South as fast as we can.

Anyway, a slow news day draws to a close and we have a vegetable chilli for tea as a way of using some of the remaining veggies before they join the watery deep.

Hi Ho!

Charlie

Post script: Dave just caught a Mahi Mahi which was of edible size but lifting it onto the boat he got away.....Wendy was protesting that we have enough fish on board already - there are 40 fish fingers in the freezer!!