Atlantic Crossing - We found the Trade winds
Stargazer of Southampton
Susie and Adam (both think they are skipper)
Sat 1 Jan 2011 18:12
01:01.11, 13:54.030N 31:46.960W
Happy New Year!
We have spent the past couple of days running south
to pick up some steady trade winds and think we have found them! We gybed around
today and (touchwood) hopefully will be able to keep the sails set as they are
now for a good time to come. It's strange - when we used to sail around
the solent we would discuss whether we tack now or in 10 minutes time, now we
talk about whether we tack today or tomorrow, or maybe the day after.
We're finally getting some down wind sailing - it was allegedly supposed to be
down wind all the way down portugal to madeira and the canaries - but that
didn't happen, however - right now we have warm winds pushing us along to the
west (of course - that could all change!).
Before we set off people told us about the 'Death
roll' - which is basically the endless rolling you get on the boat as you go
downwind and are pushed around by the swell and waves so the boat starts
penduluming back and forth, it hasn't been bad, we're managing to keep the
waves behind us, the swell is from a different direction but comes across as big
wide hills of water that you don't really notice other than being able to see a
very long way when you are on top of one. We've had a few cups of tea and
things go flying around and we've had to hunt for all things in lockers and
cupboards that are able to slide about and pad them out - other than that its
all fine. . . .. but I may think different in 2 weeks! We have also
both learnt to sleep in this - easiest when it is rolly seems to be spreadeagle
on back or front to provide as much roll resistance as
possible.
As it is new years day we are having lasagne, peas
and roast potatoes for our dinner - haven't had roast potatoes in 6
months.
No more shark attacks since the other day.
flying fish are everywhere - we're not at the stage of scooping them off the
deck yet but every day you see loads of them, they fly a very long
way. . Also seen lots of little black sea birds today -
not sure what they are doing 500 miles from any land
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