Velocity Made Good – Of Sorts
Sunday, the day of rest, was spent stripping layers of skin off our hands with some very toxic cleaning fluids.
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The Aliens Have Landed!
Got woken up by an excited Timmy at 4am, claiming aliens had visited him! Apparently whilst on watch the sails were lit up by a huge bright spotlight.
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Message In A Bottle
We had a hard morning’s work tidying up the boat whilst Roger and Manuel were cast either side out the back of the boat. An unprecedented move this late in the season but within 10 minutes Roger had attracted the attention of a sail fish (not dorado!).
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The Reins of Indies Curry House
Today’s highlight was Simon’s new fairground ride, “The Reins of Indies”, which consisted of a rope hung out the back of the boat with two loops to slip each hand through. Throwing oneself off the back of the boat the body was immediately stretched horizontally as it’s dragged out the back of the boat, which was traveling at around 5-6 knots.
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A Tall Fishing Story
I was elated. I had finally bagged a fish worth talking about and I had photographic evidence to boot. With Rich still up the mast I figured I’d save some time and start filleting one side of this monster. I took the chap down to the swimming platform at the back of the boat. He was a healthy adult male. His appetite was obviously very big since a flying fish popped out of his guts!
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Multicoloured Skyscapes
Our first 24 hours of running a dead ship took us into our third week at sea. Only one person had been to the toilet over the back of the boat, the rest of us suddenly becoming constipated. Washing up in salt water became a real pain in the arse and the boat was damp due to a very wet night watch that included some Scooby Doo style lightning storms.
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Running A Dead Ship On The Atlantic Ocean
Another miserable day on the weather front (the second in a row with no sun), giving us a grim backdrop for the bad news: the batteries had stopped charging
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Shampoo & Set
Never let it be said Sunday is the day of rest. After getting stitched up on the watch system (due to the clocks going back and a watch system change) I decided to go for a lie down. After a couple of minutes there was an almighty clang, followed by the skipper shouting “all hands on deck”.
The Skipper’s In Stiches
It’s only 1pm and already today has become the most eventful day thus far. At 10am this morning whilst holding the gib sheet Simon told Dobby to steer to starboard and then disappeared down below. With the rest of the crew running round on deck (and Tim reading a book in bed!) I went down below to find Simon lying on his back on the floor, with his hand in the air, looking white as a sheet.
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It’s Official: I’m A Deep Sea Fisherman
Made my managerial debut today by catching my first dorado. When I say ‘catch’ I mean I chose the lure, cast the line, caught the fish, killed it, cleaned it, cooked it and consumed it. Actually when I say ‘cooked it’ that’s not strictly true since I cut it up into small strips, marinated it in lemon juice and ate it raw.
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The Skipper Washes His Underpants
The days have now become indistinguishable, with each day passing very quickly. It doesn’t take much to amuse oneself, sunbathing, the odd nap, reading, playing with the fishing line or playing a round of yahtze, which has become the boat’s official game. Even watching the odd seagull (a very rare sight) gliding across the waves can entertain for 10 minutes or so.
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Sailing 90° Off Course
Low on gas. No fresh veg left. Mainsail dropped. Now the spinnaker pole has broken! This is the pole that holds out the gib (front sail) at 90 degrees to the boat so it can run goose wing, downwind. Bit of a bummer since we had westerly winds and we’re heading west.
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Is That Cape Verde?
I’m convinced I saw land today. We passed Cabo Verde and the plotter claimed that the nearest island was approx 60 miles away. If that island had 5000m worth of mountain on it then I definitely saw land. If not, as everyone else recons, then I’m just hallucinating.
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Flying Fish, Not Frying Fish
Highlight of the day was seeing flying fish for the first time. They propel themselves out of the water at such a rate that they glide for ages. Lowlight of the day: just got through our second bottle of gas, with only two more to go.
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Monopoly On The Atlantic
A Sunday just like any other Sunday really. Lounge around, do nothing. Dobby and I made half a monopoly board and we caught two dorado, though we decided to put one back.
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