TEAM SA LOGBOOK - 1st May - St Helena to Ascension

Friday 1st May 2009 - Bryan Castle

3rd sail leg from St. Helena to Ascension

Lat:11'04.8008 S Cloud:Z
Long:10'51.1781 W Temp:32C
COG:314' Pressure:1018
Speed:7.7 Knots Seas: 2
Wind: 2 E by S Sails Set: M,Mz,Ms

Today was sweltering hot, at least it felt like it was, but the temp average was only 32C, with an intensely blue sea...it was incredible.

It was another typical day on board the ship, with day and nav watch. During our day watch some of us did a little bit more caulking (and when you have double day watch, it gets a bit mind bending!). If we weren't caulking, then Axel and John kept us busy with odd jobs, like covering the helming area to keep the sun off the person who was helming at the time.

Nav watch was well...nav watch pretty much. Consisting of looking out or helming, all the while looking good obviously, especially Gustav, Chrissy and Felix in the sun glasses and rolled up sleeves!

Today Gustav and I were sent up the shrouds to gasket up the Royal and T'Gallant Staysails. If i were to describe it in three words, it would be "What a MISH!!" You sweat like crazy and you have to hang around in awkward positions, like round the back of the shrouds and on thin lines, but it was very fun. We were like Rambo, only more muscular and were involved in a more death defying task!

The food today was decent... I guess it kind of grows on you when it is the only sustenance you get. Lunch and supper were alright, but no one i ask can remember what it was, so it probably wasn't anything worth mentioning!

The South African team also had an hour of sail training with John. We got to douse all the square sails, the topsails and sheeting in the Main and Mizzen sails. It really was useful and was awesome being out in the bright sun shine!! Then the engine started up, allowing us to cling to the hope of getting to Ascension in time.. but sadly there was no swim call =(

All in all it was another fantastic day on board the SV Concordia! Everyday is. Everyone is absolutely loving every moment and making the most of it every day, and everyone on board is getting along swimmingly!