North Sea
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 30 Jul 2009 12:16
Course: South sou'east Speed 7 knots
Wind: southwest, moderate
Weather: partly cloudy, mild
Day's run: 113 nautical miles
At 6 pm some wind arrived, up sails and we were off close hauled on the starboard tack - at maybe two knots. As the evening wore on the breeze increased and veered into the west, we reefed down and have made good time overnight, dodging a few fishing boats and are now off Newcastle upon Tyne. The sun is shining and we continue to make good speed in the fresh southwest wind. We will stay within sight of the coast until Flamborough Point, forty five miles ahead, and there decide whether to head east across the North Sea and on to Holland. The weather forecast still looks less than ideal so I will be having a close look at this over the next hour or so before reaching the point of commitment.
All is well.
Bob Cat:
The tuna has dried up, oh woe, oh woe (in cat language meowing several times over as loud and raucously as possible, hitting those special notes to which humans ears seem particularly sensitive - I perhaps run the risk of being thrown over board but desperate times call for desperate measures). I pace between my bunk and the food bowl, scanning its contents every few minutes, letting skipper Bob know of my misfortunes, but no matter what it still contains the dry dusty hard tack he expects me to live on. Oh woe, oh woe (Meeowargh, meeowarghowowargh.).
All is not so well. Not even sleep is a solace just now.
Oh oh, sun is shining in the cockpit - well maybe with the aid of some warm sunbeams I might just be able to get through the afternoon ... Zzzzzzz.