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Light airs this morning and we start of the day setting the mainsail. We would be a bit optimistic to say that setting the main increased our speed, but it is good exercise for everyone and the sail did need to dry.
Last night when the wind dropped, Alan altered course away from Timor to make a more direct course for Alor. It was a good idea and we need all the advantages that we can gain with the light air. In my morning watch we averaged 2 knots and we need a bit more than that as the passage ahead has very strong currents which, if we get it wrong, will suck us to the south of the Islands. And that could make a few changes in our plans.
As the weather was so light and sunny I decided that in the afternoon we would have some sail practice for the new crew. I gave Nicko the job to take the watch, and anyone else -who was interested - through the motions of setting and lowering the foretopsail. The foretopsail was in the shadow of the main so was hardly setting and the people who participated each got a turn at calling the shots on the various manoeuvres that were devised. All in all I think everyone benefited and had a good time. It is a lot easier learning these manoeuvres at an easy no pressure pace.
Mike has been working on a bookshelf for me so that I can stow all of the publications that we need for the voyage. They are getting a bit damaged where they are presently stowed. Today he fitted it and it looks a treat, takes a bit more space out of the aft cabin but makes accessing the publications that much easier. Julie has had a new water faucet fitted to here galley courtesy of Walter and Alan. Only this time it is a saltwater faucet, which is operated by a foot pump, she considers it to be a bonus.
We are also looking at how to stow our crew more efficiently so that all have their own space, bit of a nightmare as there is only so much room and we are at about the maximum aboard for comfort. The list for what we wish to achieve in Jakarta is getting longer! This evening we had music on deck to celebrate the 50th day of our journey and just to make it even better the wind picked up for us.
Glenn R. Williams
Master
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