Happy Christmas :)

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your day is faring better than mine! I started the morning with a 3am hanging over the side and losing the remains of what I had for dinner after having had to hang over the side straight after dinner as well. I did manage to get the Christmas stockings together and hang them up so that Digby and Geoff could find them when they woke up. Caroline, thank you for the sweet tree decorations. They went up last night. Today I've been a write off again feeling terrible the whole day. I think I've been worse today as well. From what I recall from the start of the trip, day 3 was the toughest and then I seemed to improve a little bit. We shall see but in all honesty I'm feeling pretty fed up and over it all. Still, I'm sure that there are worse ways to be spending my Christmas. The sun is out and I've opened half of my presents and still have another whole box to go. This isn't through some remarkable show of self restraint either before you think I have any form of self discipline. No it's because I can't stay up for too long before having to lie down again!

I got Digby a silly present of a Borat mankini. Much to Geoff's horror it didn't take any persuasion from us at all before Digby was racing off and putting it on and then out prancing around the deck. I'll dig out a photo and attach it all so you can all share in our discomfort! One thing is that it did distract me from feeling ill for a bit. Or did it make me more ill???! Lots of giggles anyway.

One present I did open was a song that my brother had written for me. Yes, as predicted I was a crying mess while listening to it. My step mother once made the observation when my brother was telling her stories about annoying me when we were kids that his life seemed to revolve around trying to wind me up. And yes, he is very good at it but every now and then he does something special that makes me realise I do actually love having him as a big brother. You did good bro. Thank you.

Well Christmas this year is definitely different from any other I've had. I remember last year bounding into Lenny and Kate's room and jumping on them to wish them a happy Christmas. And then following it up with snow angels in a bikini. And the year before being with Jo and Andy and the boys in Chester freezing cold but having a great time all being together. No bounding this year, all my movements are very slow as my head and stomach churn at the slightest motion! Still, it will be a Christmas to remember. Thinking of you all, hope you are all having a wonderful day and can you please please please have a Christmas Mince Pie for me as we have NONE on this trip and it just isn't the same! Not that I would keep it down anyway...

Neptune

With all the offerings I have given Neptune I would have thought he could at least put the swell of the ocean behind us and not coming in from the side! Maybe he didn't like what I gave him....

After my offering this morning I spent most of the day horizontal and feeling pretty rotten. At least it was warm and now the bottom half of my legs have a deep dark colour or possibly it's dirt from having not washed. I'll stick with the tan theory.

Trying my best to get all the presents up and under the trees. Yes we have two trees but they're little so it makes for one big one. But I need to do this in short spurts and then have a recovery process so it's quite slow. Getting there though.

Digby has made his brandy butter (thank you Elizabeth!) and is now saying that we are to have a Christmas pudding tonight. Geoff and I are trying to stage a mutiny and hold out for Christmas Day but he's having none of it. Still, we won't be getting through a whole one tonight that's for sure so there will be some for tomorrow. I'm doubting my ability to eat anything tonight!

Last night I managed to be on form long enough to make a wicked spaghetti bolognaise. Bless Digby though, he doesn't relinquish power of the galley too easily. Little does the poor man realise how close he came to a face full of spagehtti when he came over for the umpteenth time to check on my cooking and wanted to check that I had a collander to drain the spaghetti with!!!! So the boys trust me with a diesel engine and yet not with draining pasta.... I had to laugh. He was just trying to be helpful.

So Christmas Day tomorrow. I've got my fingers and toes crossed that I'll be feeling ok. But hey, I'll just go with whatever comes.
I'll be back on tomorrow but for now, Happy Christmas Eve, enjoy it wherever you all are and talk to you tomorrow!

Really?

We have had a beautiful calm day, gentle seas and guess what I've been doing? Feeling rotten and trying to hold my breakfast down!!!!! I mean come on, is there a break in any of this?! Oh I'm laughing but I am feeling really worn down by the whole motion sickness thing. Still up and at them, at least I know I can catch a fish. And gut it, fillet it and fry it up for dinner. Seriously though, I've tried all the remedies for the sickness, the tablets, the ginger, the salt and vinegar chippies, the wrist bands but I think I'm just going to have to suck it up and deal with the next three days. Which is a shame because I was really looking forward to a big Christmas lunch. I'm hoping though that this will be a quick adjustment and things will look up :) That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it.

I ws asking Geoff and Digby the other day when I was allowed to put presents under the tree and was firmly told that wasn't allowed to happen until Christmas Eve. Cough cough -Digby what the heck are your presents doing under the tree today????? It's only the 23rd. Apparently he was tidying in his cabin and needed to make some editing space so it was allowed. Oh I see, change the rules to suit. I don't mind though, it is starting to make it feel a bit more like Christmas, we've got the decorations, we have the tree, now some presents under it and a chuckun in the frudge. (See I still have my accent!) Oh and I met some Aussies and South Africans at the marina in Mindelo and they said I had a very strong accent. I am relieved :) I'm going to have to sort out the Christmas stockings and the dancing Santa tomorrow as well. I have it all planned, we are going to lift up the table up outside and have Christmas lunch on there. If it's as calm as it is today, I'm going to make the boys stop the engine so that we can have a mid-Atlantic swim as well. Loving it really. I did find my pink santa hat but couldn't wear it for long because I got too hot. Will make an effort to wear it as long as possible on Friday. I think I need to also work on a sign to tell Santa to stop here. Good thing we've got the tracker on...

We're off (again)

Mindelo charmed me. I really liked it. A big big thank you to Kai, Caesar and all the boys for their hard work on cleaning out our tanks and fixing everything. Total stars. Also a big thanks to Sandy for showing us around and to Ademiro from Shell for his kind gifts and visit. It has been overwhelming how helpful everyone has been and how much work they have all put into helping us out. We also had our neighbours in the marina over for some takeaway pizza last night. How sociable are we?!

We've been on the go for a couple of hours now, things are going well. The engines are purring like kittens. Amazing what a bit of tlc can do hey?! The weather is lovely, the seas are calm although alarmingly I'm feeling a little bit woozy. I was surprised that I didnt' suffer any land sickness and am a bit concerned that I've got a few days of not feeling so hot coming along. Maybe on the positive side I'm going to actually lose some of this weight that everyone tells me is going to happen?!!! Ha, yeah right.

Digby and Geoff got fishing tips off Kai and have already set the reel up and eagerly awaiting the chance to land some of this elusive Atlantic tuna. I'm going to leave them to it! I feel I have enough fish blood on my hands after having seen the video of me bludgeoning that poor Dorado. It was pretty gruesome my friends, especially when I whacked it and then asked it 'Why won't you die?'. Oh dear, what monstor has been unleashed?

Four sleeps is it until Christmas? I have been emailed a file from my brother to open on Christmas Day. I'm pretty excited about it. For some reason, I'm missing family more than ever this Christmas. I'm not so sure what is different from any other year. I've been travelling for so long and have worked so many Christmases that it usually doesn't bug me this much. I know that Geoff and Digby will be here and we will have a fun day (I've got Christmas crackers and party poppers tucked away to ensure that we do) but I'm really sad knowing I won't be with my family. I mean, I miss them every Christmas but it's even worse this year. I guess I'll have to just look at where I am and know that they'll all be thinking of me and that I am part of something pretty exciting. I get to see them all in the New Year and we can all have extra mini Christmases then. I'm hoping this will mean extra presents....! Anyway, I've always managed to have a great Christmas wherever I am so why should this year be any different? Digby came up trumps with his wanderings in Mindelo and returned with a chicken and lemons. So we've got the bird, the potatoes and the pudding. Sounds like we're all sorted I think. And we have the oven to do it all with too. Time to get festive I think. I'm going to go and find my pink santa hat that says on it 'I'm trying to be good!'. That's more like it....

Ok, what was I saying earlier about feeling bad for killing fish? Well as soon as I had finished writing todays blog I had just put in the address to send another email and the fishing line went. We all got up to see it, Digby was reeling it in and then got self concious he didn't have a shirt on and I had my camera out. Next thing I know, I've got the reel and he's got a camera. What? Anyway, what were we saying about the elusive Atlantic tuna? We got one people!!!!! It was huge. Geoff is guestimating it to be about a 30 pounder - all I know is that it was heavy. No gory bludgeoning here today though. It was a job with the gaff. All quite delicately done and a bit quicker for the fish too which was good. Filleting it was hard work but we got four massive fillets out of it. There was a bit where I was a little bit girly though I have to admit. I cut it down the belly and in theory the guts should have all just flopped out or so I'm told. They didn't. I had to put my hand in there and it was kinda gross. And then when I was filleting it, I had a moment when I was getting in there and it was still warm. Eeeewww!

Update

Hey folks, thought I had better give you a quick update while I've got the very intermittent internet connection at the marina. Our mechanic came along and spotted the problem. We have some water and air in our tanks, then he got into a filter bit that we would never have found and got into the tanks and has cleared out a lot of black sludge that looks like somthing sneezed. Progress is happening. Kai has been wondeful sending out all sorts of people to work on the boat. Caesar our mechanic has been also been a star and they are all very keen and eager to get the problem solved. I have decided I really like Mindelo.

Last night we had drinks with Sandy and she introduced us to a couple, Robbie and Sue who are heading back to the UK today with their two girls. It's so nice to have only been here a short time and yet still made friends.

Looks like a lot of work still to go for all the boys. We've even sent one of them up the mast to look at the wind instrument to figure out why we can't get an apparent wind angle reading. Seems to be a connection problem but they are all over it. It really is lovely to see.

Weather is hot, I've managed to do a load of clothes washing for Geoff and myself by hand on the boat. I filled up a load of buckets and did it all on deck. A few of the guys from the office walked by trying to see what I was doing but they couldn't say anything since I wasn't in the shower! So hopefully in a short time the hot hot sun will have dried them all and we will have clean clothes, clean people and clean fuel. Now all we need is some wind. Want want want!

Ron, Anita and Dad, it was so good to talk to you all last night. I've downloaded the file thank you - Dad you spoiled the surprise!!!! It's ok though, I promise not to open it until Christmas Day although I nearly started crying thinking about it this morning. Harden up! Watch this space for more. Jo and Andy and Grannie, wonderful to talk to you as well and Kate and Penelope too.

Gotta go now, I'm seizing the opportunity to tidy cupboards and things. Have already scrubbed the decks, I'm getting ID back to shiny status...

Cape Verde Islands

This morning we arrived into Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands. The coastline in the morning sun looked very rugged and harsh but the marina is lovely. Geoff pulled us up next to a pontoon, I tried to look nautical and do my OXO ties with the warps around the cleats. (Not really sure I've used those terms correctly but hey, it was a good effort!) Also Digby caught it on film so I'm pretty sure it will be evident that I don't look that nautical either! We shall see.

On arrival, Digby and I went up to the Marina Office and sorted the paperwork and not long after were visited by Kai. He has been very helpful and has arranged for a mechanic to come and look at the engines tomorrow. Speaking of which, here is a photo of me doing my thing with the engines! It may look like I'm not doing anything at all, but I'm (get me with technical knowledge here) bleeding through some diesel with a little pump after we had took the tube from the fuel tank off and blew it through and then replaced it to the pre-fuel filter. The bleeding through process then removes any air in the system when you open a little valve. But I discovered that it was easier to get the pump to work with my foot as it was a bit hard with my hand! Check me! Now I just need some mechanic to get on and say, 'Suze, you got that all completely wrong, no wonder the engines are unhappy!'

Oh and if you look at yesterdays photo of my cabin with the NZ flag and teddy bear, this is the same cabin that's been taken apart! It all makes for good viewing doesn't it?!

Somehow there was a connection for Geoff to know a friend of a friend here by the name of Sandy. She came to visit and kindly took Digby and I to a local supermarket where we picked up some water and flour (thank you for the pizza recipes - all set to go now!). And if that isn't enough, we're all going out to meet her for a drink later on. Who else can rock up to a totally random place and still have a social life?! Good times. Although right now Geoff is on the phone to Mark and we have to chuckle that the three of us are somewhere lovely and we're all sitting in the boat tapping away at our computers and not talking. What is technology doing to us!

Anyhoot, it's pleasant and warm. I've had a shower which was awesome. I tried to take some clothes in to wash while I was in there but then got told off by the guy who was on duty. So then he loitered outside and knocked on the door while I was in the shower and then checked my clothes when I came out and seemed really annoyed that they were all dry!!!! Bit scary. Digby however managed to sneak some clothes of his when he went to the shower and has given the authority the big two fingers!!!!! Oh well.

Before I go, Kerr, don't worry there is a way to make pizza. Our microwave on board is one of those clever ones that does oven, grill and microwave as well so we are all good. Loving the fruit too, it is doing really well. I think we did a great job on the shopping front.

Enough babble from me, guys I'm going to go and enjoy having land under my feet and yes, I did do a little 'happy to be on land' dance. And I wasn't land sick!!!!!! Yeeehaaaa :)

P.S. While on land, I measured the circumference of my bum (yes this is something weird I do) but can now say that everyone is a bunch of liars. No I haven't seen any trade winds and no I haven't lost any weight!!! Liars, the whole lot of them :)

Lobby music :)

I know that I've been saying for ages that we are going to Cape Verde and you are all probably wondering if we are ever actually going to get there. Well good news people, I have been informed that we will be there tomorrow afternoon! There is a marina there so we should be able to have all the things on hand needed to help diagnose/repair and then move on.

Today we were discussing Christmas lunch. I have decided we will pull up the table outside and have it there and I've got the Christmas crackers sorted (again thank you Martine!) and all the party poppers and things and Digby has a few ideas for food. Apparently for Digby and Geoff, Christmas isn't Christmas unless we have roast potatoes. I'm just happy it's warm because that is more like Christmas to me :) Kerr, you have already kindly supplied us with our vino for Christmas. I realise that this so far sounds like we're going to be having potatoes and booze but don't worry there will be more. I may even try and find a whole chicken or something in Cape Verde. We shall see. It will definitely be different anyway. And don't tell Digby but we have a hideous dancing Santa man on board which I'm going to surpise him with on Christmas Day at some point. The cameras will be at the ready. We have discovered that we now have THREE Christmas puddings on board. I'm ok, because Jo bought me some custard but Digby is in a dilemma because he would like some brandy butter. We have brandy and we have butter but we're not convinced a straight mixing of the two is the way to go.... So Elizabeth (Digby's mum) can you please supply us with a brandy butter recipe?! And to all my various mothers (Jo, Maureen, Kate, Trish the list goes on) is there a quick easy pizza dough recipe out there at all? Not that we have the flour but we are hoping to pick some up tomorrow or Monday.

Bit of a chill out day today, I have stayed away from the engines as last night I had almost had another Neptune offering episode and felt pretty wiped out. Digby has just put on some music as he creates in the kitchen. Geoff and I have been bantering about each others taste in music but Digby has just introduced a whole other level. Suddenly, my Take That boys are in!!!! Cheers Diggers, you having piano music has helped me out! But he has redeemed himself and changed it to something pretty cool, don't know what it is but I like it.

I managed a quick semi organise of my storage cabin today and still kept a place for me to sleep in it. Look for the red pilow and that's my little cocoon! I'll see if I can dig up the photo of my cabin which has been taken apart for access to the engine. I believe they make for two very different photos... Note that one is the front cabin and the other the back but I'm sure you all get the idea. I had it so pretty and nice and now it's just engine and tools. That will be another photo for another day.

Get this, just as I'm typing this Digby has spotted land. Maybe we'll be there earlier than expected.