The crew have developed some competitive rivalry aboard Challenger 4 splitting into two watch teams. Ger and Mark P explain the system of watches on board and what it’s like to be up on deck, on watch.
Eat, Sleep, Sail. Repeat
The days are starting to blur into a pattern of eat, sleep, sail. repeat. But occasionally we change the order just for variety. The ever humorous watch led by Bruce came up with the names ‘Bay Watch’ and ‘Crime Watch’ for the two disparate, pass in the night groups of people. Not surprisingly Bruce’s watch grabbed ‘Bay Watch’ for themselves, but really…
Need For Speed
So what happens during all those long hours on watch? To be honest not much. The highlight is a turn on the wheel with the feelings of complete power that it bestows on the helmsperson. The rest of the watch lounge around, watch waves, look out for sea life and other boats or occasionally chatting. Of course, the helms person’s performance keenly watched; maximum speed being keenly contested. Bay Watch are currently claiming bragging rights, but the inside word is that Challenger 4 took a brief detour towards North Africa to feed their speed addiction. The sight of the moon racing from side to side behind the stern of the boat could be attributed to the waves, a freak astronomical occurrence or even possibly some slalom style helming. Of course frantic cries of ‘Do I need to turn Left or Right’ provide more immediate amusement, and fear, to the crew.
Skipper Ricky in his element
Serpents Of The Sea
Just occasionally the skipper will throw in a wildcard. Gybes on the previous 2 days had been performed by the superstars of ‘Bay Watch’, but at 2am this morning Ricky decreed that it was time to gybe and the members of ‘Crime Watch’ were dispersed to the far corners of the boat armed only with head torches and distant memories from the training weekend as to what bits of string to pull.
To give the interested reader some idea of the scale of the problem, the ‘snake pit’ contains 21 ropes, many the same colour and several with more than one use. Jan drew the short straw and was dispatched to the pit to wrestle with the serpents. Others took easier options manhandling the rather large spinnaker (think telegraph) pole, or pulling on the various ropes as called and often repeated in a very patient tone, by Ricky. Not the slickest manoeuvre seen on the high seas by a long shot but performed safely and the boat was then heading on a more direct and faster route towards St Lucia. ‘Crime Watch’ finished their deck time tired but happy for the change of routine.
Despite the ructions on deck, and the best efforts of ‘Crime Watch’, ‘Bay Watch’ slept through it all, only emerging at 3am in search of their morning pre watch brew.
The cook-off has begun!
A La Carte Menu
The Challenger 4 fine dining competition continues to escalate. Mark T and Bev produced exquisitely arranged plates of Tapas for lunch followed up by Saucisse Deutche accompanied by creamed potatoes, traditional legumes and a rich onion and stock sauce. Sadly some of the less refined crew members mistook this for mere sausage, mash and cabbage, but the leftovers gave Ger and Mark P a chance to shine by serving Bacon and very flavourful Bubble and Squeak to the hungry hordes at breakfast time. At the time of writing Ger is preparing Beef Bourgeon for dinner. And potatoes. Did anyone mention we have a lot of potatoes to eat?
So far it has been a remarkably unsplashy trip. The first wave came aboard yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, it arrived exactly where Kirsty was sitting enjoying some down time with a book. Cue wardrobe change.
Ger (Bay Watch)
Mark P (Crime Watchj)
Skipper Ricky’s Log
Date : 28 Nov 2018
Time : 12:00 GMT
Position : 22 35.8 N 021 21.1 W
Position : 315Nm North of Cape Verde Islands
Destination : St Lucia
DTF : 2310
24 Hour Run : 186
COG 220, SOG 9.0
Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use
Water : 3 full, 1 in use, Changed WM filter – 25L/hr, Emptying Port Tanks
Gas : 3 full, 1 in use, 1 Empty
Notes and comments :
Challenger 4 has just clocked its odometer – 100001Nm done, almost 4x around the earth now.
Just gybed on a big wind shift…
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