20/11/12 - Lord Nelson

Day 33 20th Nov

"We can see clearly now that the rain has gone". Boy did it rain, folks out on deck having a free shower, shampoo and all. Others were just jumping up and down. Congratulations' to Steve the Medical Purser for wiring up the Air Handling units, AIR CONDITIONING of a sort, much appreciated. Be even better when the cooling bit is on too. Tio (he says it’s short for Horatio, the Nelson chappie), the stowaway monkey in Bunk 10 with Sue, is ready to move back in from the Bridge where he has been lurking, enjoying the warm breeze & beautiful blue sea. Lauren the cadet had a big gooey Kitty birthday cake and cards. Sun sights mastered by 3 of Aft Starboard today. Big Al got our best latitude reading from the sextant as 4 degrees 26.1 minutes, that’s within 0.1 of a mile (from the GPS)! Wow. So getting nearer to the equator. It’s funny seeing the GPS reading counting down to Zero each day. 'Only’ 290 miles to go! We saw 3 single handed Vendee Globe yachts on the horizon just now. Hairing along at 10-12 knots. We are motor-sailing along with jibs and staysails up, at 7 knots against an almost head on Southerly warm 17 knot wind. If it turns a bit more we may be able to set the square sails but it’s too close yet. That’s all folks see you again next week.







Aft Stbd – Steve Sue Mick Al Luke Richard John Noel & Tio.