Wednesday, 16 August 2006
Day 10 - The Rounding of Muckle Flugga
Well, apologies for the lack of stories coming from the yachts. To be honest they were just so annoyed at the lack of wind and then the little there was having to beat into it, that there was nothing of great interest coming off the yachts apart from grumpy, tired, wet and cold sailors!
Puma called in late last night to say that they had gone around it to a huge cheer from everyone onboard but slightly disappointed that they were unable to see the infamous mark of the course due to severe lack of visibility. As it was during daylight hours, they weren’t even treated to the loom of the lighthouse. Jaguar has called this morning to day that they have rounded it in a similar state – low mist, drizzle and not a rock in sight.
Puma have had more calamities on board…..one third of Puma’s food on board is de-hydrated rations, and unfortunately with all the bouncing about beating towards the top, the de-hydrated has become hydrated and therefore has gone to feed the fish and sacrificed to the wind gods, instead of the crew. The food was double bagged and stowed safely but that dreaded bilge water manages to get everywhere. They should have enough food onboard to compensate however, as the first few days very little was eaten due to seasickness etc but at least with less food the loo roll rations may last a little longer! There is talk of a loo roll thief onboard, that instead of taking their own personal stash to the heads when needed, pinches other crew members instead…..more on this later.
Both Jaguar and Puma have put up their spinnakers at last and rested the genoas, which are now being looked at for any sign of damage and wear and tear, ready for the next sail change. Jaguar have reported a winch handle overboard……apparently a crew member got so excited that the kite was up and inadvertently knocked it off the winch whilst getting ready to trim…….more sacrifices to the wind gods.
All the families are following the race with avid interest. Mark Taylor on Puma Logic got a message from home yesterday. It said..”Dear Mark, Please can you arrive back by the 23rd as Auntie Margaret and Uncle Dennis are coming to stay. Auntie Sheila is very worried about the lack of loo rolls, hope you are ok. Love from Mum and Auntie Sheila”.
Puma called in late last night to say that they had gone around it to a huge cheer from everyone onboard but slightly disappointed that they were unable to see the infamous mark of the course due to severe lack of visibility. As it was during daylight hours, they weren’t even treated to the loom of the lighthouse. Jaguar has called this morning to day that they have rounded it in a similar state – low mist, drizzle and not a rock in sight.
Puma have had more calamities on board…..one third of Puma’s food on board is de-hydrated rations, and unfortunately with all the bouncing about beating towards the top, the de-hydrated has become hydrated and therefore has gone to feed the fish and sacrificed to the wind gods, instead of the crew. The food was double bagged and stowed safely but that dreaded bilge water manages to get everywhere. They should have enough food onboard to compensate however, as the first few days very little was eaten due to seasickness etc but at least with less food the loo roll rations may last a little longer! There is talk of a loo roll thief onboard, that instead of taking their own personal stash to the heads when needed, pinches other crew members instead…..more on this later.
Both Jaguar and Puma have put up their spinnakers at last and rested the genoas, which are now being looked at for any sign of damage and wear and tear, ready for the next sail change. Jaguar have reported a winch handle overboard……apparently a crew member got so excited that the kite was up and inadvertently knocked it off the winch whilst getting ready to trim…….more sacrifices to the wind gods.
All the families are following the race with avid interest. Mark Taylor on Puma Logic got a message from home yesterday. It said..”Dear Mark, Please can you arrive back by the 23rd as Auntie Margaret and Uncle Dennis are coming to stay. Auntie Sheila is very worried about the lack of loo rolls, hope you are ok. Love from Mum and Auntie Sheila”.
posted by Sailing Logic at 11:22 AM
