Wednesday 27th January: Passage to Cape Verde

Awelina of Sweden
James Collier
Wed 27 Jan 2016 15:41
26:45.94 N, 019:13.17 W

Having left La Palma yesterday (including stopping at the fuel berth and obtaining fuel across the decks of Bessie May, a two-masted Ketch oaround 100 foot long - which was covered in tar, plenty of which ended up on us) we settled back into life at sea for the first time in 2016. To celebrate leaving European waters, Fiona cleaned the loo and pumped out the holding tank. James took a toothbrush to the impeller (boat speed) and both operations were successful.

As usual on setting off the wind was 180 degrees from the predicted forecast and so was bang on the nose. It was so light however that we stopped the boat for a swim in the beautiful warm blue water, washing off the efforts of our earlier exertions and also trying out the new cockpit fresh water shower. Andy Holmes it works a treat, thanks for all your assistance.

The wind continued in our faces for 16 miles or so until we cleared the wind shadow of the mountains of La Palma and then it settled to the expected North easterly F 4/5. The weather was fine but hazy with a 3 metre swell that died somewhat towards dusk along with the wind. The moonrise however at 9:30pm was spectacular and the only other item of note was one cargo ship passing astern on its way to Nassau. Otherwise we had the water to ourselves and at noon today had recorded 140 miles sailed towards our destination.

We've noticed in warmer climates out fruit and vegetables are turning rotten much faster than in the UK. It also depends if our suppliers have ever refrigerated said veg as well. Many people, we note, have veg in nets that swing from the bimini but as we are not sailing with the bimini up we have elected to put the net hanging in the galley, Fiona took two days to sew and fix the net for the space. It's full of oranges, bananas and onions. We still have no solution for the potatoes, however the boat is a bit cooler here than in the marina so we hope that stashing them in the bilges will work. Interestingly the potatoes available in the Canarian supermarket say 'country of origin: UK'.

We're expecting stronger winds in the next 24 hours, possibly a force 6 from astern so will report back on that tomorrow, but for the moment it's F4 from astern so we're making reasonable progress at around 6 knots.