Sunday 29 July 2018

Latest GRIB (General Rubbish Insinuating Braille) shows a little bubble of inert atmosphere upon us (true), which is forecast to follow along for the next three days (maybe). Where all around is decent wind from SE, we have the merest zephyr wandering back and forth between NE and SE. With full sails set wing and wing (Cal, that means sticking them out on opposite sides) we're plodding along just fast enough to keep the big iron thing quiet. Swell is down just a bit and suppose to continue so until Wednesday (possibly - this tends to be more reliable) at which point wind picks up to 25 to 30 from SE and waves return to roller coaster level (double provisional maybe). If we actually knew what was going to happen it wouldn't be nearly so fun.. right?)

Fixed (meaning it doesn't open) topsides window, the one where so much time and effort was spent to stop a persistent leak, is leaking. Highly annoying. This is over the pilot bunk where off-watch sleeps - last night moistly. At least it's not the window itself, but around the setting. Suggestion that Jan lower a crew over the side in a bosuns chair as we go along, rolling back and forth, to remove, reseal, dunk and lose parts was, after due consideration, vetoed. Attempt to waterproof from inside will commence after fan dries out wood behind removed, stainless frame. Optimism restrained. Princess (designation enjoyed for a regrettably short time each morning as galley serf fetches her tea in bed) doesn't like being soggy.

- Later

After wind went due north, in which we sailed starboard tack for about ten minutes, then quit (perhaps just enjoying the day of rest), auxiliary beast was awakened to provide apparent wind on the bow exactly at boat speed; also to aid arrival Cocos Keeling sometime next month. Thank you Jed Clampett, et al.

Jack