Saturday 17th Sep
Sadly we said “goodbye” to Glenda, Tracy and an abundance of margaritas! Hello to the new crew – Rachel (Rita), Gail (Ginger) and Janice (Cup).
Sunday 18th Sep – Lombok to Christmas Island
Due to small wind the 9am start was slow. The fleet had permission to cross the start line using their motors. That calm evaporated as Ressie approached the Lombok Straits; rock and roll summed up Sunday afternoon! Finally, Ressie maneuvered past the Java Ridge where the weather was perfect. The spinnaker was raised and the crew undertook pilates on the starboard trampoline. The crew settled to actively sail through the blustery conditions – Resolute leading the fleet by late evening. At evening cocktails we reflected on Ken’s fix on the top mainsail baton with a stainless steel loo tube spare, using it as a sleeve to cover the break – “Hooray!”
Night watch was decided using the fact that Rita could go to sleep at 7pm and wake at midnight. Ginger took the sunrise watch with Capt Ken and Cup sandwiched in between. A full moon with cloudless skies enticed some mindfulness overnight.
Monday 19th Sep
All going well until the spinnaker twisted necessitating us all straining to take it down quick sharp, fortuitously, as a squall hit which highlighted Ressie had lost her kitchen window. Rapid initial repair ensued. Capt Ken pulled a lower back muscle in the spinnaker untangle maneuver and sliced his finger during the porthole repair. After raiding the 1st aid kit, Nurse Cup is keeping an eye on him!
Nothing tame about this leg of the ARC as another storm moved in after midnight. Rita was rudely awoken as an open porthole allowed a cascade of seawater to dump into her bunk, needless to say she came up laughing. Capt and crew had a wet night while uber-alert till that weather past.
Tuesday 19th Sep
The mainsail was reefed and the rigging altered to make the best of the changeable conditions. Ressie enjoyed 14 knots at her peak today!
Tuesday afternoon now and Ressie crew all well, new batons, upgraded kitchen porthole repair in place using two chopping boards, skilfully cut to size, with no injury, by Capt Ken, then copious amount of sealant, spread firmly into place with surgical gloves as only Rita knows how!
Now for cocktail hour…
[ Blog by Rita 🙂 ]
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