K8 LOG – 29/11/06
It’s Wed 29th Nov and on board K8 we are still on gmt, so just like yourselves at home, we are settling down to a relaxing meal after a small canapé from DT. We are starting our ‘Happy Hours’ every day and awarding Owner’s prizes. Jarrod is currently up the mast checking halyards and bringing down the shackle which popped last night. It’s warm – 80 degrees, but remember “it’s always warmer on the reaches”.
K8 ODE – DAY 2
It’s now day two and we’re settling down
But the wind’s north east – a pain round and round
Twelve to eighteen knots at a time,
The spinnaker’s shaking through all the lines
The swell it’s getting larger
We wish we had a bit more lager
K8 ODE TO THE ARC
It’s really cool down here in Las Palmas
Chas has chatted up the girls but still friendless
Two Johnnie Walker reps in cat-suits of black
Evaded our young crew’s attentions to peel back
The rest of the crew whilst working hard
Have had a hangover or two to discard
On Friday our test sail went well
We’re expecting to go like a bat out of hell
Floss and Elaine have fully stocked the Galley
We’re not going to run out of food on this Rally.
Just about to cast off our lines and head out for the start of the race at 1300 hours. Have stowed away all the rattly things, had bacon and egg butties, filled the water and diesel tanks, got rid of the gash and taken our seasick tablets! The wind is blowing from the predictable NE which means we will have a reaching start. This means that the gi-normous pink spinnaker will be hoisted for the first time – plenty of chances of clusters!! As long as we are not over the line at the start we will be off on our 2700 mile race. The winds are forecast 5-10 kts at the start, increasing to 15 kts so we hope to hit 9 or 10 knots boat speed.
We will be starting our watch systems after dinner of mousakka and some pudding! Can\’t wait – the sun is shining and we are all dying to get started. Best wishes to you all and we will stay safe and be lifejacketed and harnessed at all times!
Well 3 days to go.
Alan has arrived and rest of crew tonight, will they make the Oyster party we all ask ourselves.ET is going to the airport to meet them.
Crew dinner then arranged for afterwards.
Most of the heavy work is now done, all the stores with the exception of the fresh fruit and veg. are on board, as our the gallons of water and soft drinks.
Great party last night, Berthons fancy dress, we looked great but just did not get a prize, hey but who cares.
Other good news the auto pilot may now be finally mended, took the combined brains of Oyster and Raymarine to solve.Spirits are high, we are now on the final run in and have found a pub to watch the rugby in on Saturday!
Another great work day, yet more food being brought aboard, computers working, new DVD’s, just got to sort out which one to play on one of the four screens
david
Last night started off with being invited to drinks at Sea eagle, an Oyster 62, followed by our pier dinner at the yacht club, great food especially the duck.
Chas arrived early evening so was able to join the fun.
Had a good day working, cleared the lazerette, washed the rig, Oyster and raymarine teams on board trying to solve the autopilot problem, we will know tomorrow if it all works or if we are hand steering all the way across?
Otherwise all the preparations are going well!
David
Last night we won our first prize! This was a rather impressive silver trophy and we were able to fill it with 25 ml of flat, warm beer! This wonderful trophy was awarded to K8 for the Dinghy race when Jarrod and myself managed to paddle the inflatable canoe across the finish line! We looked pretty cute in our clown hats and covered in eggs and maize slops! Over 100 dinghies took part and there were water fights galore. Later on, Floss and I donned our hats again and odd shoes and managed to beat off a few youngsters in the sack race. This has just been a short respite from our busy life aboard K8.
All is going well, Oyster preparing to complete all there jobs, food shopping in progress. ET has been to a sextent lesson so we will know were we are.
David
