Day 9
Last night was particularly dark! Might sound silly back home but you have to be here to experience the difference between complete and utter darkness and a moonlit sky, the contrast is incredible. As we continue our push west the phosphorescence in the sea is growing, it looks like someone is sprinkling fairy dust behind the boat, Incredible!
As dawn approached, we entered an area of squalls! Whilst we have seen some on the way, these were different and much more aggressive. Winds gusting to 40 knots and torrential rain, generally from the wrong direction (this wasn't in the brochure) all to a back drop of prolonged lightning. Bob was in his element!
By mid morning the entire crew were completely drenched, I mean completely. Dan's shorts and shirt became transparent, cheered the girls up, guys weren't too impressed when we realised that after his 3rd consectutive soaking he had left his pants off! Worse was to come, the wind died! For the first time we had to put the motor on! Not only were we being showered, albeit in fresh water which made a change, but we had to put up with the noise!
This was just like UK boating, no visibility, grey skies, grey seas and miserable! Phil cheered us all up with a delightful vegetable soup for lunch, just like you would enjoy on the north sea, in December! Gerard likened conditions to his new mariners meteorology read, Fifty shades of grey! That raised a few eyebrows amongst the crew.
The fisherboys, as they have become known, (Dan & Phil) decided it was time to deploy the fishing gear. Gerard and I tutted our disapproval, honestly guys, you cannot shut the freezer for bl**dy fish! Well within 10 minutes they hooked another dorado! Now the fruit supplies are depleting, they have commandeered the fruit storage box as a murder chamber cum killing box! At least we don't have to watch! All agreed that was enough and would make a great lunch tomorrow!
The boys, so impressed with their new chamber decided to have another go with the rod. 10 minutes later another bl**dy Dorado! Biggest yet! We have confiscated the rod!
Charlotte the shy member of the crew has become increasingly indifferent about her washing up duties! As the sun came out at last I seized my opportunity and managed to trade my cooking duties with her washing up, a
great trade I think. So all you back home can rest assured, I am not coming home the next Gordon Ramsey!
We plod on, crawling towards the 1000 miles to go point and await the return of favorable winds.
Love to you all back home, Stephen