April 16, 2008 - Midday Wednesday 16 April |
33o 34.4’ North 54o 54.7’ West
Number of failed bread rolls: 12
We are now well into our 4th day at sea and we haven’t had to use the
chuggy thing downstairs at all yet (guess who’s doing the blog today).
We are currently sailing in glorious sunshine and the sea is what even I would call calm!
Having Jim around has certainly added a new dimension to our journey. It’s like having our own Bill Oddie on board. He claims, so far, to have spotted a turtle, a shoal of fish around a
piece of flotsam, Portuguese man’o’war jellyfish, numerous birds
including Shearwaters and British Storm Petrels, and 12 Dolphins. (Plus
one new spot, some kind of Tern – J.)
I don’t want you to think that there is any envy or jealousy involved
but in my opinion, all he has seen is a dustbin lid, a load of plastic
bottles, a couple of seagulls and, I’m sorry, but I could only see 11
Dolphins … and as for the jellyfish … they WERE Cornish pasties .. We’re all waiting for the big one … the whale.
Our readership may not be aware of this but the crew of Jem are in the
process of setting a brand new world record. In our epic journey we
have been joined by “Barry”, the 6” long plastic toy boat. He was
launched from the back of Jem as we left Bermuda and will be towed
across to eventually become the smallest boat ever to sail across the
Atlantic.
If successful, then I can see a whole new career for Barry (if Fergie
can make a living out of a plastic helicopter then anything’s
possible!).
Captain (Bob the builder – can he fix it? Yes he can) Mark continues to keep us afloat and travelling in the right direction. Proficient or what? … I actually saw him fixing something this morning that has not actually gone wrong !
Mike (David who?) is at last able to make full use of his very
professional looking photographic equipment. With Jim up on deck, we
get very disappointed if there are not at least 3 photo opportunities a
day.
Having had great success with my bread making in the first leg I have
to admit that my first attempt this leg was a complete disaster. We had
a delicious Bouef Bourguinone for supper last night and I thought that
I would make some bread rolls to go with it … They came out like so many lumps of lead. They have now been despatched
over board but unfortunately they floated which meant that we have had
to send out a warning to any following shipping to avoid them. One
single bread roll strike could potentially sink anything up to a full
size cruise liner – yesterday being the anniversary of the Titanic
disaster.
(I am pleased to report that todays bakery produce is more up to the required standard).
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| • Post A Comment! |
April 17, 2008 - Jem - 17/04/08 - UK reply |
| Posted by Denise and Roger |
Just read the 15/4 and 16/4/08 updates from on board.... glad to hear the senses of humour prevailing.
We have to side with Brian re 15/4/08 on the 'bung' issue - if the captain issues an instruction, it must be done. From distant marine engineering days in the 60's and 70's - I always stood by that philosophy. Try a bigger hammer next time!
Your weather seems to be better than UK's at present - still heavy frosts each morning (in Barrow there is anyway)...we even had hail and sleet a couple of days ago.
NCFC managed to get beaten in the local derby with ITFC .... 2 - 1 . We Carrow Road faithful are now sweating on the final 3 games of the season - to steer clear of the relegation zone. That season ticket renewal last month does not seem such a great idea now.
Is fishing on board an option when sailing at a rate of knots? I remember a fellow engineer caught a small shark in a Nigerian estuary many decades ago - and when we got it up on deck, we wish we hadn't !! It was caught on a modified galley meat hook trailed over the aft end, where the prop was creating a bit of interest to various species. All very sad these ancient nautical tales, recollected in vivid detail - particularly when I have trouble remembering what was in the news yesterday ! Sounds like some of Brians bread rolls would work - especially if projected at any fish showing its presence.
Anyway - must depart - dog walking,work,etc beckon.
Best wishes to all - Denise and Roger, |
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April 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by The Major & Mrs Barnes |
Hi BC and Ship Mates,
Enjoyed your last message - doesn't sound like the red so'wester is getting much use. Perhaps you can use it to hold the bungs next time you are call upon to assists the Chief Engineer.
Two more sleeps and we are off to the USA, following in the recent footsteps of our beloved Prime Minister and The Holy Father. What grand company we will be keeping although I doubt either will be going to Vegas. I have asked for a seat on the left hand side of the aircraft so I can wave to you. Keep an eye out for us about lunch time on Saturday.
Glad to hear your buns are back to normal, Mrs Bains will be delighted.
Save sailing
Regards
Peter and Patsi
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About Me
Left UK in May 05 in our Moody Grenadier 44, summer in Med, then ARC 05. South from St Lucia to Venezuela by May 06. UK for some shore time. Back sailing Jan 07 Venezuela to Cuba, east coast US, then Mexico, Belize & Guatemala. March 08 Back across the Atlantic to UK via Bermuda & Azores.
Jem is now back in Berthon Lymington - hoping for a new owner?
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