Tuesday 15^th January 2012

After wallowing around for three days, the wind made a wondrous return last night, reaching 18 – 20 knots at times.  We managed to make up some lost ground and were speeding away in the darkness.  It’s quite a leap of faith to go hurtling away (it feels like hurtling at night) when you can’t see what’s in the sea ahead of you.  We always wear life jackets and clip on to a fixed point in the cockpit at night when on watch.  You’re up there on your own and if you tipped into the water it’s quite likely you wouldn’t be missed for hours, and even a few minutes in the water at night would make it very difficult to find someone.  We don’t go out of the cockpit onto the deck at any time if we’re up there on our own either for the same reason.

Last night’s supper was shepherd’s pie made with corned beef.  Surprisingly tasty.  I’ve no idea what we’re having tonight.  I wait until the last minute to decide in the hope of a fish on the end of the line but we’ve had no luck for a few days now.  Tony made some delicious olive ciabatta bread and the treat of the day is a buttery pineapple upsidedown cake, with more like a tarte tatin top.  They all come out round with a hole in the middle thanks to my Omni oven.  A bit seventies but a real treat in the middle of the ocean.

We’re hoping to make St Lucia on Saturday.  Nearly there, only 500 more miles to go.  Phew.

 Photo of Tony the Tiger and Accomplice preparing for lifeboat drill.