Beginnings

It is an in auspicious place to start such adventures, but Mallorca is nice
enough. Though to be fair i havnt really seen any of it yet. My first
morning on board, I woke late and wandered up to the pool for a morning
swim. Feeling very out of breath i make it back to the boat for breakfast
and coffee, and to take advantage of Michaels lap top and the free wifi.

George Michael have gone back the UK this morning to meet up with family and
friends so i am left in charge of the good ship Blue Sky. So let us begin
this adventureous tale with a description of my first command.

Blue Sky is a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49. Bought new just over 18 months ago.
Made of fibreglass she is what is commonly refered to as a 'plastic' boat.
Moving from stern (back) to bow (front) we come across first the boarding
ladder/steps. At the moment, being stern on to to the harbour this is the
entry point for the boat, later it will be how we climb onboard post swim.
Next we have the steering position, two wheels mean that even with the boat
well heeled it is always possible to be with on the windward side. Both
wheels have their own set of instruments, telling information such as
windspeed, course over the ground, tidal flow and water temperature. Above
the steering position is the new arch. A stupidly strong stainless steel
arch carrying solar panels, wind vane, satellite phone and navtex (worldwide
weather information system). The energy generation up there is mostly enough
to keep all electronics working without running th engine for extra power.
Further forward we have the cockpit proper, about two meters wide, and more
or less square. A large folding table sits in the middle of this for al
fresco dining, a canvas cover keeps the sun off the occupants.

The companionway (the stairs into the cabin) is set between two sets of
winches and jammers controlling the majority of the ropes on board. It is
not normally necessary to leave the cockpit whilst sailing as everything is
brought back to this point. Further forward a sprayhood keeps, well, spray
away during more lively sails. Beyond that we have lots of deck, hatches for
falling down, a really big mast, ropes. Anchor well with windlass and
eventually the genoa (front sail). Infact beyond that is the dolphin seat. A
small seat built into metal frame work at the front of the boat which hangs
right out over the water. A particularily good place to sit and watch the
dolphins play in the bow wave... or so i'm told

Down below starting aft and working forward again we start with two cabins.
The port (left) side one is mine, though i havnt unpack properly yet so its
still messy, i have put a few photos up so it sort of feels like my own. My
cabin leads staight into the saloon, as well as having its own door into the
aft heads (toilet). The saloon is spacious and pleasant, the galley
(kitchen) runs down the port side whilst the other side is the nav station
and the dining area. Forward fo that is George Michaels cabin, the largest
with its own heads. Space is used as well as possible, every floorboard and
bit of wall comes away to reveal storage spaces, which pleasingly all seem
to be filled with beer and wine.

So that is my ship, i'm sure i have missed details but i'll talk about them
if and when they come up. I'm going to go and unpack now.

Y'all email.