Struggling across the Indian Ocean, on our way aruond the World

A Lady
Stephen Hyde
Sun 3 Oct 2010 06:27
SATURDAY   2nd  OCTOBER  2010   (  DAY  6  at SEA )
 
Well at 00.00hrs , the wind was still howling out of the SE at 35  /  45 knots,
We were well reefed down and sailing along very nicely.  just on a port broad reach. and the occasional huge wave breaking right over us,
so we keep the wash board up and the hatch closed.  and boy oh boy, is it cold,  ( skipper has 4 layers of clothes on, plus hat and gloves )
 
09.00hrs  Radio net  :-  the controller today is " Lady Eve "
We managed to recieve the positions of all boats, and we made ground on every boat in the fleet. but keep in mind
some boats left 2 days ahead of us, and others 1 day ahead, so we have a lot of catching up do and we will not catch up with them all,
 
12.00hrs   Distance travelled...........................................885 n miles  ( we think this is understated and will correct tit tomorrow )
                Distance to Destination.................................1383 n miles
                Wind  SE  .................   ...............................35  /  40 knots
                Weather    ...................................................Good,  blue skies now and then with plenty of clouds.  Cold.
                Sea state  ...................................................Very rough, 
 
The afternoon was much brighter, we spoke to Voyaguer, Jennius, and Tzigane on the SSB a couple of times, all keeping in touch with one another.
We adjusted our on board clock and watches to +5hrs UTC.  and left the E120 on Coco's time.( +6.5hrs UTC )
UTC , this is the new name for Grenwich Meantime,
 
We recieved lot of emails recently from friends and family, To name a few, Michelle & Anne, ( Aileens sisters )Sarah, Leah, Rom, Marion, Ray,
Paul H, Stefan, and Paul Tetlow,
 
Later in the day, we had the benifit of a 2.5 knot current helping us along,  Its amazing how the SE wind blows consistantly , building  up
these huge waves carrying millions of tons of water and all heading the same way, thus creating this great current. which is terrific for us.
As Fats points out, " Like free miles, 1 knot ph, = 24 miles per day  = 3 hrs saved ( If you are sailing at 8 knots. )
                               So 2.5 knots of a current gives 60 free miles, or to put it another way, Its 60 miles added to ones normal days milage,
 
 
Dinner was another curry, todays was a different type and the rice was good too.
These dishes are easy to prepare.
 
Night watches :-                22.00hrs  /  00.00hrs ..............................................Neil
                                        00.00hrs  /  02.00hrs     ..........................................Aileen
                                        02.00hrs  /  04.00hrs................................................Stephen
                                        04.00hrs  /  06.00hrs................................................Terry
                                        06.00hrs  /  08.00hrs................................................Neill
 
A tough day
 
Signed  :-  Stephen Hyde   ( Skipper )