16:53.19N 24:59.52W

Brain of Pooh
Kit Grundy Vanessa Alexander
Tue 12 Jan 2010 20:36
Brain of Pooh arrived safely after 5 and 3/4 days sailing on Monday 11th morning at Mindelo, Sao Vicente. Wind was quite strong 6-7 for the last 200 miles of this leg and we all found sleeping rather hard. Consequently we all arrived exhausted. A  Bottle of Champagne on arrival sent us all to sleep for the rest of the afternoon!!!! First evening delivered a string of beers at the local yotty bar, four starters of different types of squid and raw tuna, and tuna steak and fine 14% wine from the island Fogo.  
 
Mindelo has changed so much since Lindy and I last came here in 1982. At that time there was only one car on the island and one shop selling chick peas and tuna. Now the town is very prosperous with thousands of new cars, restaurants, shops - even a fancy restaurant with swimming pool just next our new marina run by an enterprising German. What funds it all - God Knows - but Chichester would be proud to have it!!! 
 
Great fun in the Marina. About 100 boats in the Marina of which 50 or so are bound for the Caribbean too. We have got three days here and plan to leave for Barbados on Thursday. The long range 7 day forecast predicts relatively light winds for the first half of crossing.
 
Boat feels very safe, and we all know she will look after us on our crossing.
 
Our next blog entry will be our first night across the pond!
 
Love to all
 
Kit and Vanessa