Mischief - Log Day 10: Arithmetic lessons in gybe angles. Wendy goes nuts and Alf confesses to being 'Old School'

28 November 2017 0830 Position 17 degs 18.5'N 028 degs 49.8W

Awoke at some ungodly hour by the radio crackling into life whilst Dave passed small talk with another yacht in the vicinity, Barracuda, not that it was not nice to hear from them its just that it was Neal and my off-watch and were soundoh asleep and the radio was on full blast down here. The expletives emanating from Neal's cabin can't be repeated here unless you are reading this after the 9pm watershed. Alf's lexicon of English continues to grow - so does mine for that matter!

The wind has increased as hoped but appears to have gone further West meaning that it was dead downwind to St Lucia and we can't sail dead down wind safely. St Lucia was getting closer but was remaining an elusive target. So Dave held a management meeting at which he expressed his concern that we would not make the destination by the 11th, the day of my flight out sadly. So we were a little downbeat this morning but set up the boat for a gybe to starboard tack as we had planned last night. One gybe later and the world was a different place, not only were we heading directly at destination but we have wiggle room either side of the course should we need to go higher or lower - the gybing angles are of course much narrower than tacking angles upwind, so we will put this down to an arithmetic error! The boat is creaming along at 7-10+ knts and at this rate not only will I make my flight on the 11th but we will be in time for the Friday night Jump Up at Gros Islet on the Friday 8th! Panic over, for now.

Wendy threw her toys out of her pram after the gybe complaining that we had left all the ropes in a mess that she had spent ages making neat and tidy the evening before. I must admit the cockpit resembled a snakes wrestling match after we'd finished maneuvering.

Cereals for breakfast this morning. Alf asked politely if he could have some of "Wendy's milk"; he was of course referring to her supply of skimmed - but reminded us of the Little Britain episode "Bitty Mummy" in the way it came out but Wendy was fine about it despite us sniggering.

Managed to cut my finger in the night searching around in the dark to find my head torch ironically, and stuck my hand into my wash bag where
I found a Bic razor instead awaiting me - a mere flesh wound. But Dave this morning compared his cut incurred whilst confronting a particularly aggressive onion last night making Spaghetti Bolognese and there was no doubting he sported the more impressive badge of honour. However, he then went on to admit to dripping a bit of red stuff (accidentally) into the bolognese sauce which gave a certain 'je ne ces quoi' to the dish. A three star restaurant would have included it on the menu as 'Bolognese a la Sang' or in Finnish,'Verella' apparently but that looks less appetising written down. I don't suppose Greg Wallace would approve on Masterchef but then what does he know as he's never tried it.

Had a go at breadmaking this afternoon to fill some time - good exercise too, taking out a bit of aggression on the dough. Neal wondered if it is easier to cook the part baked baguettes we have on board which I am sure it is but not so challenging on a rolling boat. It has just come out of the oven looking like a loaf so there's a start. The boat smelt great though whilst it was baking :-) Hopefully it tastes ok!

1600 and we are still creaming along. Wendy screamed in delight when we hit 10.7 kts! Mad monkey has just been on SSB saying they have been achieving similar speeds but suggesting that they may be in St Lucia sometime after 9th, maybe the 10th or 11th! They are quicker than us so that's a worry to hear. Lets hope their arithmetic is not too good either.....

Cottage Pie for tea and Neal is having a go, admitting he has never made one before but Wendy is supervising. He asked Alf what his speciality dish is and he admits to never cooking anything, ever, as being of the generation where he hasn't had to bother himself! Oh well, he can wash up but he is a keen follower of the TV programme, "Can't cook, Won't cook" for aspirational chefs.

We have just watched a Gannett (a duck with long wings for those not of an ornithological persuasion) fly around and around the boat for the last ten minutes then dive to the water to chase flying fish that no doubt the boat has spooked. We have not seen that before and it was absolutely fascinating. So maneuverable on the wing.

Lets hope the wind holds both in strength and direction for the duration as we seem to have taken the right decision to come South.

Hi Ho!

Charlie

Post Script: The Cottage pie was excellent and the bread a triumph!