Strange to think that I will be back in the UK a month today. Last night at 0045 we were so excited as within 5 mins we went from 2.5 knots to 6 knots. It stayed like this so we trimmed the sail and at 0100 we wrote the log. Within 5 mins the speed dropped off to 2 again. Be the end of the watch we were only going 1.1 knots. Due to this slap in the face, tempers were raging and I very nearly lost it with the youngest member of the crew. So now I have decided to just treat her, like her age rather than an equal. I'd given her that respect, but she hasn't earned it and to avoid further confrontation... which on a trip like this you just don't need, I'm going to stop trying to be overly conversational with her.
The night was stifling hot again, probably 30C down below. I think the heat kept Nele and I asleep as we didn't wake up until 1100! We emerged up on deck to discover the sea flat as a pancake again and drifting gloriously at 1 knot. The brilliant news was we were allowed to go swimming again! But the boat picked up speed within about 45mins (speed as in about 1.2, which is the average speed someone can swim comfortably).
Before general swimming started the immersion suits had to be tested:
They're made of something similar to wet suit material but less permeable. So 4 people (Ben, Andreas, Ashley and Nele) donned this highly attractive garment and proceeded to form a raft & paddle together. They also made a help ring and practised swimming. They were all knackered afterwards, not surprising in this heat. The feet of Ashley's suit filled up with water so she couldn't get up the ladder. HILARIOUS for us... for poor Ashley I feel with 2, 5kg feet she was unimpressed.We had dolphin fish around the boat & lost 3 lures to them. Now we have wind! finally. The morale was so low today as the weather report say 3 more days of becalmedness. Fingers crossed the wind stays otherwise Bermuda is a far and distant dream!
Ciao for now!
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