2002 – 2003

Ocean Planet in the Around Alone – Update
Friday, April 11, 2003
Almost ready for Leg 5

Hi all,

Still boiling hot here, and I still have what’s left of a flu which has turned into a rotten hacking cough. I’m dying to get going on Leg 5, but I sure hope I feel stronger by the start on Sunday! Jason Winkle and Stephen Hodges have joined Ashley here to help out and are toiling away in the heat. Good thing I was able to get at least some of the rigging projects done while I’ve been under the weather or Jason would be even more pressed for time.

Yesterday was a busy one. Among the projects was changing the zinc on our saildrive, underwater, which is NOT the easy way as there are lots of little parts to drop…. Many other tasks, including searching all around town for some stainless steel fasteners…it would have been easier if I knew Portuguese!

Hopefully we can get out for a short test sail today as there are a few things we need to look at and double check. I also really want to do a serious cleaning inside the boat (still lots of dust and grit from the Falklands repair work in addition to work here), but it is really hard to talk anyone into going inside the boat during the day, which is like a sauna. Definitely can’t blame them. I might have to do it myself at night. Food shopping today too if possible, but I might have to go tomorrow if we run out of time.

Perhaps it’s my last minute panic, as usual, but I probably wouldn’t feel right without some stress before the final leg start of a race around the world.

Jason & Ashley want me down at the boat, so I have to get going…see you soon.

Attached: Thanks to Dirty Dog (http://www.dirtydog.com/) for the great glasses!

Bruce and Ocean Planet