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BBC NewslineYou are in: BBC Newsline > Julian's Sea Blog, Part 3  Julian's Sea Blog, Part 3Julian Fowler And then we suffer a setback as we discover a long stretch of plastic garden hose has fouled the propeller... TUESDAY 21st - Day 2 at seaHaving gone to bed at midnight making good progress under a fair wind, awoke to a light breeze and calm sea. Can just make out 2 other tall ships on the horizon away to port. We have taken a more southerly course because of the light winds. Captain Klaas explains we are doing more miles in the hope of picking up the Gulf Stream sooner which will speed our progress towards Ireland. More whales were spotted by the sunrise watch. Nearly all those who were suffering from seasickness yesterday are looking much happier this morning. And then we suffer a setback as we discover a long stretch of plastic garden hose has fouled the propeller. Although we're not using the prop for power, the hose causes drag slowing us down, and of course the engines would be needed in an emergency. There are numerous attempts to cut it free as we drift along, but it takes the mate using scuba gear to finally cut the last bit away. It even had the nozzle attachment. Not sure what a garden hose is doing in the Atlantic, but after a 2 hour delay we are back on course.  1st live tv transmission on board Europa Wednesday 22nd - Day 3 at sea GPS position N 42°09', W 57°52'We're on the 4am to 8 am watch, which should mean we see the sunrise. Instead a cold fog envelops us. It mists up my glasses making it difficult to see - not good for lookout duty! Getting used to the watch system - 4 hours on and 8 hours off - with 2-hour shifts in the middle of the day. Scrambled eggs for breakfast. The food on board is superb - prepared by Aleide the cook in the galley. There is fresh bread baked everyday, with cheese and ham. We have had carrot and orange soup, roast dinners, crumble and custard, and plenty of coffee to wake us up at the start of a watch. The fog clears in the afternoon allowing some relaxation time on deck beneath warm blue skies. The wind keeps us sailing along at about 8 knots. We have now reached the Gulf Stream and as we head out into the deep ocean the colour of the water turns a beautiful deep blue - a great contrast to our cream sails, especially looking down from the top of the mast! I put my fears to one side and made the climb 100 feet above the deck. To the amusement of all those on board, I taped a video camera to my head to give a first person perspective of what its like to dangle from the rigging. You'll have to watch BBC Newsline next week to see the dramatic footage! last updated: 23/07/2009 at 17:18 Have Your SayAny words of encouragement for Julian?
michael mcnamee
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mal mc donald
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GC
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Cormac You are in: BBC Newsline > Julian's Sea Blog, Part 3
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