Crew Blog

Chasing the sea breeze

08 May 2008

Well you have probably been wondering what we have been doing on the ‘Mighty Durbs’ as we have gradually slipped into the prize position of 10th - apart from lose all wind! Unfortunately our tactical move of moving inshore to get the sea breeze in the day has not paid off as much as we hoped. We have been getting some sea breeze in day between 11am & 5pm but not the 15-20 knts we would have liked & not for as long as we liked.

But life has definitely not been dull! We have perfected the art of changing sails between the kite, the windseeker & the No1 & staysail in order to get the maximum speed out of every breath of wind that comes in our direction. Each watch now performs this slick routine with an audience of birds. Today we had 2 visitors to admire our sail manoeuvres, Princess Beatrice the Booby & Cilla the Cow bird who hung around for the best part of the day.  Our packing of the spinnaker has also been perfected & at last count it took less than 10 mins to complete (mainly ‘cos it is so damn hot down below!!)

In addition to this, as the temperature drops the ladies gym has grown to a team of 5 performing a hard-core gym routine on the sun deck- entertaining the guys as they decipher whether the Yarpie, Aussie or the Limmies are working the hardest!

Mixed up with all this activity we have fitted in a wonderful swim, wildlife spotting, watching the spectacular sunsets & sunrises, plenty of reading, card games, lots of chatter & laughter plus thinking about all our amazing followers at home (in particular today’s birthday followers - my Dad, Sarah & the Flynnster! Happy B-Day !) & some reflection on what happens when we get home!

All in all we might be last but we are having a great time soaking up the sun & getting ready for the ‘WA challenge’ - best fancy dress when we meet up to tow one another into Panama!!

Lucy

Another nice swim this morning, before getting down to putting up the sails, and starting the engine for the long haul to Panama. The mothers could be heard bickering in the galley with the Female Yarpie bird (a yet unknown bird among the twitchers world) berating and pecking at any of the male birds of any description within reach, and getting the galley spotless.

Bill