Gerry the generator has two fuel filters.  There is the easy one and the Houdini one.  Bob replaced the easy one yesterday morning so he girded his loins and became an escapologist, taking advantage of the gentle wind and seas, in the afternoon.  It did the trick and Gerry is now singing like a KIngs College baritone who has cleared his throat.  The only worry is that said filter was new in Puerto Mogan, which implies that the fuel is contaminated, and we only have the one spare. Bob is still worrying and has gone into power conservation overdrive.  (Do you remember the Air Raid Warden in Dad’s Army?  Bob is even more zealous).

Bob has been diverted from worrying about Gerry by deciding on a change of sails.  Our strategy of gybing seems to be taking us the long way round.  Also the wind is getting up (there is a weather system developing to the south of us) and looks as if it will be too much for the cruising chute so we are going to try going downwind with genoa and staysail goose winged.  We will see how it goes but playing with the sails certainly keeps the girls from boredom (and their coursework). 

This morning we started to get really Christmassy.  The girls put up the decorations, wearing their Father Christmas hats (no flashing lights yet because that is tomorrows piece de resistance apparently and the Air Raid Warden might have something to say) and we sang (if you can call it singing) along to some carols.

We don’t need fairy lights at night because the phosphorescence is so pretty (such lovely sparkles when flushing the loo in the dark).  We can’t remember what causes it and are hoping that there may be a chemistry buff out there who can explain (Francesca?)

We will be on the lookout for Father Christmas tonight.  I wonder if he has AIS?