We are now putting away everything that isn’t already nailed to the floor.
There is a front coming in, although not the worst that we have
experienced, should be up there with them. How things can change in 24
hours.
For the last day I have been on “mother” duty. Apart from serving up the
dinner last night, it was flat calm. Flat calm means that you can go the
extra mile. As I was on with Pops (the infamous master bread maker) we
had a cob to go with the sweet and sour lamb for dinner, and then a
pudding.
A beautiful cake, with peach sauce and tinned peaches.
Something I would probably turn my nose up at if we were at home, but on
here I was the person of the moment. I like to have a few of those –
never know when I am going to need someone to do me a favour. Everyone
went away from the table (theoretically of course, we have no table) with
full tummies and a smile on their face.
Pops bread this morning went down well for the toast – how lovely to have
home made bread instead of a sliced loaf. Sliced bread may have been an
amazing invention, but I bet the person that invented it was not a bread
lover. Nothing better than the smell of bread coming out of the oven, and
a good knob of butter (another theoretical – we only have the most
disgusting margarine that came from Vietnam on board) that melts into the
warm dough.
The keyboard on the crew computer has got wet again, and is not working.
It was put out in the sun yesterday to dry, but still doesn’t work.
Therefore, I am using the media computer. I have had enough of sending
messages through with three or four letters missing, and no one being able
to work out what I am trying to say. I have asked for a spare keyboard to
be carried, but so far my request has not been acknowledged. I pay enough
money to have the email system (I am virtually the only person, apart from
a couple of odd leggers, to have paid up for it) to have bought ten
keyboards.
We are due into Qingdao on Thursday – if we are lucky. We have just under
400 miles to go as we speak – we have been quite slow over the past couple
of days with wind holes – hence the excellent mothering conditions. The
window to get in is only between 9am and 5pm, so if we arrive after that
we have to wait until the next morning. Not only that, we could arrive at
say 3pm, but there are two boats ahead of us that are waiting to get into
the marina. The arrival ceremony is an hour a boat, so if we aren’t able
to hit the marina before 5pm we still have to wait until the next day.
Wendo has said Friday – she took notice when I said never over promise and
under deliver. Much better than making everyone think we are going to get
in a day earlier than we do. But if we do get in a day earlier, everyone
is even happier. Win, win situation.
The bad news of the day is that Michael is not going to fit enough to join
us again in Qingdao. But the good news is that he should be fit enough to
join us in Seattle. I had a feeling that it would be two legs that he
would be missing, but hoped that would not be the case. He has been
sorely missed – especially by me. My disappointment is probably nothing
compared to what he is feeling. My thoughts are with you, and will be
waiting to give you a big hug when you hit the US!
So this afternoon for about 36 hours we are expecting winds of around 40
knots, which means gusts of up to 50 or 60 but probably more. On the nose.
So not only will we be heeling at 45 degrees for the next day and a half,
we will be banging up and down on the waves. My favourite!
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Bridget only has basic email facilities on the boat. Editing and the choice of images on this blog is entirely by Paul Keevil!
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