9 14.593n 21 59.865w
Come on Wales
Sat Sep 16 2023
Another day creeping down South, hopefully cross into 8 north before the end
of the day. I’ve had clouds nearly all day so maybe I’ll get a “shower”
soon. Time now to start to focus on rugby. Portugal I would see as straight
forward for Wales to get the win. However, I remember last Autumn
Internationals. I got tickets for the family and we went to see Georgia at
the millennium Stadium. Kids saying “Dad picked the Georgia game to come and
watch, because he knew Wales would win” That didn’t go to plan, did it !! So
need stay focused tonight and all that matters is the win.
Enjoy with a couple of cold ones. Speyside Craft Brewery IPA highly
recommended.
Cheers Daf
9 31.340n 22 06.047w
The Tortoise and The Hare
Sat Sep 16 2023
I’m sure that as avid followers of The Global Solo Challenge that you are
aware that it is a pursuit format race. All boats that are entered have a
speed rating. Which is primarily based on the waterline length along with
other factors, such size of sails, weight of boat, does it have a bowsprit
etc. All factors are inserted into a secret formula and the boat is given an
IRC Handicap. Bendigedig has the slowest rating among all the boats taking
place. Hence, we get 3 weeks, head start, on next boat, incidentally is
leaving today. Some of fastest rated boats leave up to 11 weeks after me. So
this is typical of the parable of the tortoise and the hare. Bendigedig
being the tortoise. Over the past few days, we’ve doing the tortoise
impression a bit to well and time to go turbo tortoise. Bring on the trade
winds ….please.
Daf
9 37.576n 22 16.126w
Might have overdosed on muesli
Fri Sep 15 2023
This morning the packet of muesli was getting near the end. I filled my bowl
with usual amount and there was bit left, so I thought is that enough for
tomorrow, surely not, just finish it off. In it went and then next thought,
oh that’s a bit too much. I had two options, eat the giant bowl full or try
and get some back in the packet and spill muesli all over the boat. The
empty packet went in the bin, and I preceded, of course with my usual
toppings. Forty minutes later, and I was still like a horse chomping on his
oats out of a nose bag. Took some eating. Needless to say I haven’t eaten
much else for the rest of the day.
Enjoy your weekend folks, whatever you are up too
Daf
9 57.082n 22 18.836w
Just passed Through 10 Deg North
Fri Sep 15 2023
Less than 10 degrees until I get into the Southern Hemisphere for next few
months. I have less than 600 nm to reach the equator. I believe that
shoreside Team Bendigedig are running a sweepstake as to what day and what
time I will cross from North to South. I placed myself @ Tuesday at 17.00
UTC a few days ago, and to achieve this target I now need n average of 5.9
knts/hour. Very ambitious at current pace but let’s see what happens. Have a
go, I think it’s on the Bendigedig Sailing Facebook page.
Cheers Daf
10 20.286n 22 19.793w
The Predictable Trade Winds
Fri Sep 15 2023
In the middle of the night I took my bean bag to the top of the companion
way, and sat there letting the warm air blow over my skin, actually cooling
me down a bit. Then I started thinking, I wonder what today will bring.
Hopefully, a few miles closer to the equator, will we keep this wind all day
or will we end up in another windless spot. All this uncertainty should
disappear by the middle of next week as I start to get into the trade winds.
I do like a bit of unpredictable behaviour in life, makes it a bit more
exciting, however I’m well ready for a bit of the predictable stuff now.
Must be getting old !!
Have a great day Daf
