0800 UTC 22 July
N72 00, E040 35, pressure 1020mb and steady, sky 4/8, BATT 12.4, bearing 019, 7.9 SOG furled genoa, full main, distance last 24 hours 146 nm
Yesterday we had glorious weather again, turquoise seas, a good swell going. Babs did a Irish stew in difficult circumstances, like trying to cook on a skate board. tasted great. It was my turn to wash up yesterday, so we go from midnight to midnight. thankfully I don’t have to do that for another 6 days, but hope to swop with some one to do my cooking day.
Sea and air temperature getting colder as we venture further north. Saw quite a lot of Dolphins for the first time around the Yacht. Still sea gulls flying behind and skimming the waves.
My watch finished at midnight with the sun still up, but after today, I think the sun gets lower each day. That would obviously depend on the latitude we are also sailing, but changes ahead.
Had some promising Canadian ice charts yesterday, but thats a long way off. Today we should get an update with the Russian side. fingers crossed it is still not solid around the cape and Laptev sea. That could slow us down considerably. The wind has been blowing the pack ice against the land, so very difficult to get around the shore, but let’s see what Santa brings.
Today is Ros birthday, so a very special treat for her… it’s her washing up day! We will keep the candles to a minimum, but what a place to celebrate!
Crew getting into a nice rhythm, and we wake each other 20 mins before a watch. Last night the engine stopped and my heart was in my mouth. After all of the work with new filters, cleaning the tanks, clean fuel, I thought how could this happen. Some Russian chap signals from outside and indicate that we are sailing! with both sails up. Very nice. Above all, it saves important fuel.
Another day at the office, but we are all off to a good restaurant tonight to celebrate Ros Birthday.
David