Cleone - Leg 16 Day 5 - Learn from Your Mistakes!

You cannot teach an old dog new tricks, or anything else besides.

 

I am sad to report that for the second day running, a large pot of very good Yoghurt flew across the Galley and landed next to the Chart Table, with totally predictable results.  Good manners prevents me from naming the careless ***** who, for the second day running, left it poised on the runway of the draining board whilst he made (or tried to make) a cup of tea.  But he is not the oldest or the youngest member of the crew, he's not the tallest, and he's the one who's been on the boat for longest, and is always telling the others not to do stupid things.  *****!.  The only plus is that for two days running, that part of the cabin sole that gets dirtiest has been wiped (but it still does not look clean - Ed).

 

Apart from that, we passed Christmas Isaland in the early evening.  Several of our mates are paying short visits, to tie up in what is reported to be a beautiful sheltered bay with friendly people and outstanding snorkelling, and only slightly marred by a large phosphate mine with its attendant ship-loading facilities (and no sign of a big man with a long white beard and a red suit, or any elves).  It is noticeable that on  the large chart, there is a 200 mile Australian Economic Exclusion Zone around the tiny Christmas and Cocos Islands, as well as many others.  In this time of soaring oil prices and dwindling fish stocks, it's surprising how these formely irksome possessions are now jealously nurtured by their mother countries.  But Cleone sped by.  As we passed, we ignored the cries of our friends to come and have Christmas Dinner with them, mindful that there were still over 500 miles to run to the Cocos Islands, and that we are still the slowest boat in the fleet!  Hopefully this tactic will also give us a reasonable length of time to explore the Cocos Islands, said to be very beautiful.  Thereafter we set off for the long leg (over 2000 miles) to Mauritius, of which more anon.

 

Apart from the domestic crisis, we have had another great day of sailing.  We made 162 miles in the last 24 hours, not quite as good as the previous two days, but still great progress.  The wind has backed and eased slightly, but the spinnaker is flying and we have still got good boat speed.  Maybe we will arrive on the 25th rather than the 26th - slightly ahead of our prediction.

 

Last night for supper, Alex served Whitehouse Hamburgers (which, paradoxically, contain mainly minced beef and no trace of ham).  They were finger lickin' good.  Apparently they are a great favourite of a Mr Clinton, who is said to be quite famous in the States and to whom Alex has served these prized delacacies in the past.  Mr Clinton may have been unreliable, and possibly economical with the truth on occasions, but he was right about the burgers - they were delicious.  (And for Steve, there were Mashed Potatos Monica Style on the side - tasty!).  We are looking forward to Alex's encore at lunch today.  After his performance at breakfast time, it's just as well the Skipper is excused all further Galley Duties until tomorrow - a Norfy Special is promised for this evening.  Perhaps that's why he is so quiet at the moment, even though he's not asleep?

 

The Skipper went down the Red Lion at lunch time yesterday on his own, Norfy and Alex stayed in.  You just cannot get the crews these days, or is his leadership waning?  No wonder it may be on the brink of closure.