18:36N 031:24W

Wind Charger
Bob and Elizabeth Frearson
Thu 22 Dec 2011 13:40
Winds are still very light (12 to 15 knots) so we are pottering along
happily. The cruising chute up all night worked wonders and we made much
better progress. One mini squall, accompanied by rain (yes rain) had me
running round like a headless chicken (its quite complicated disentangling
yourself from the lead and headset of the DVD player whilst rushing for the
wheel in the dark) but we are all agreed that our choice of steadily gybing our
way across is the comfiest and safest approach (rather than sailing dead down
wind with the spinnaker during the day and the accompanying notorious
transatlantic roll).
Haley is practicing taking sights with the sextant and her first attempt
had her within 10 minutes of the GPS position. This is a great relief
because the generator is still playing up and is very reluctant to get going in
the morning (I know the feeling) and Bob has started worrying again that we will
be left with no power.
Talking of no power, last night’s supper was a near miss. The pinger
went and we all rushed to the table only to find that the oven had gone out and
the macaroni cheese was still stone cold. Doh! Cook should pay more
attention and not indulge in a sun downer on deck with her husband gazing at the
stars.
We haven’t seen a soul except for Bob’s visit by an early morning beetle (a
stowaway?) and a moth that was attracted to Fleur (she has developed a light tan
but her face is certainly not aflame). We are expecting reindeer in 2
sleeps.
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