Azores to Falmouth - Day Two 41 27.999N 025 42.766W

Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Thu 17 Jul 2014 17:06
Continued with both genoas poled out as the wind stayed in the SW, at least until 02.00 this morning when it increased, went round briefly to the NW and then settled in the west. However, the changes meant that the leeward pole had to come down so we could sheet the leeward genoa in normally to catch the wind. So in the middle of a deep sleep at 02.00 I had to get all dressed up to go on deck to take the pole down - not nice. Doubly not nice as it was raining too! While the wind was in the NW the windward genoa was rolled away, but once back in the west we could put the windward pole forward and put a little bit of genoa out to windward to keep a good speed up - 6 to 7kts. The wind dropped down again as the dawn came up and the speed dropped back to 4 to 5kts, but we've kept sailing the whole time and, as said yesterday, coming from the Azores that has to be good. We're expecting stronger winds from the NW again overnight and tomorrow, but we'll aim to set the sails ready for it before we start our night watches, so hopefully no deck work in the middle of the night - fingers crossed! Our noon-to-noon run was 123 miles, and as I write we have 1,001 miles to go.

Weatherwise it's been a mixed bag - some sun, but generally a lot of cloud and the odd shower. It's been quite warm during the day, but the nights are starting to get cold (very cold for us tropic birds!) so it'll be several layers and full foul weather gear tonight. It reminds us of why we decided to head south 6 years ago! Liz is knitting another scarf to wear! Starting to see a few ships on AIS and one passed within 7 miles of us, so just on the horizon. We're not in contact with any other yachts on this passage as none were going in our direction, but one did come very close yesterday afternoon. Tried calling it up several times, but no reply came back and it headed off in a north westerly direction - all quite mysterious!

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Blog Entries

2014
Aug 2014 Jul 2014 Jun 2014 May 2014 Apr 2014 Mar 2014 Feb 2014 Jan 2014
2013
Dec 2013 Nov 2013 Oct 2013 Sep 2013 Aug 2013 Jul 2013 Jun 2013 Apr 2013 Mar 2013 Feb 2013 Jan 2013
2012
Dec 2012 Nov 2012 Oct 2012 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 Jul 2012 Jun 2012 May 2012 Apr 2012 Mar 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011 Nov 2011 Oct 2011 Sep 2011 Jun 2011 May 2011 Apr 2011 Mar 2011 Feb 2011 Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010 Nov 2010 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 Jul 2010 Jun 2010 May 2010 Apr 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 Sep 2009 Jun 2009 May 2009 Apr 2009 Mar 2009 Feb 2009 Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008 Nov 2008 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 Aug 2008 Jul 2008