Jago and Liberty were keen to do the sunrise shift this
morning, so Jay woke them at 6am and they enjoyed the sunrise with him -
snuggled up with hot chocolates! We had a peaceful day with great wind and we
are galloping along still. We all have various aches and pains because our
bodies need to move more than they have been able to! I have my trainers with me
and am dreaming of arriving in St Lucia and running to launch my body into
action again!
There is a huge and increasing amount of peculiar
seaweed in the water, it looks gelatinous, almost like frog spawn. It is playing
havoc with our fishing lines so we have given up for now.
The ARC sent out a message today saying that an ARC boat
has lost it's mast and only has enough fuel to cover 100 of the remaining 400
miles. They appealed to any boats close by to help by giving them any spare
fuel. We aren't anywhere near them to help but are wishing them
well!
BattPack Log Day 18 - 12th December - The wind has died
down so the motors are on for us to get to St Lucia as planned. It is doable, we
are keeping the faith. We begin to plan what needs to be done on arrival and
make a list- the first for nearly 3 weeks, prior to that we had prep lists
coming out of our ears!!
It has felt properly hot for the first time today. The
Gennaker was set to the starboard side for most of the day and we realise what a
sun shade that has been for the boat! We have our last salt water shower which
is pleasantly warm at 32 degrees - an increase in 7 degrees since we left Las
Palmas. Sitting together, we enjoy our Penultimate Sunset at sea. The last
before we see land. It strikes a chord in us all.
Our food rations have served us well. I make a French
Onion soup for lunch with the last of the onions and Beef Pie for tonight.
Homemade flapjack for pudding, yum! We have lots of tins left in our stock but
the fresh food is practically gone. If we needed to survive on tinned food for
the next few days then we could, but we are very glad that we
don't!
The last of our night watches tonight and I have my
favourite - the sunrise shift. These watches have by and large been magic.
Keeping watch whilst listening to music under a blanket of magnificent stars is
a great way to while away the night hours. Catching up on sleep during the day
has made it possible. There were a few livelier nights where the flybridge was
an action station for sail changes etc but in the main, the nights have passed
peacefully.