17 June 2009
Today is Lou Brisenden's 61st birthday and he celebrates it in the Atlantic Ocean and has been given the honour of sending the update.
Since the last update they have experienced a huge variety of weather including lots of rain which was like needles on their skin. Then a frustrating 14 hours of drifting in torrential rain. When it cleared Liam was sent up the mizzen mast to replace the mizzen staysail block which was jammed. The calm period was a blessing for some of the crew who were suffering with mal de mer. However, today at 4am the wind went round to the east which made life more stable. Good news as they are now reaching under spinnaker and they are the most southerly ship in the fleet. So far, they have been at sea for 265 miles since leaving harbour.
Today Lou's watch is mother watch so they have been making bread (ciabatta, nann bread & bread rolls etc) and Lou suspects he will have to make his own birthday cake!
They are towing a fishing line in the hope of catching a large marlin for tea. They have had flying fish on the deck last night & today so suspect they are being chased by marlin. We were joined yesterday by some tropic birds who were very beautiful with pure white feathers.
All crew are in full banter mode even Liam who won the coverted 'Wally of the day' t-shirt for accidently tacking ship.
Weather is now superb and the sun tan is being applied by the bucket load!
We have slipped to 2nd in class but like our position tactically.
Lou Brisenden
Watch Officer
Rona II
