Madagascar

CARANGO AMEL 54 #035
PETER and VICKY FORBES
Mon 7 Nov 2016 06:31
What does one do in a final morning in a French territory?

 One has coffee and a pain au raisin in a street cafe with diesel fumes wafting in for that extra 'je ne sais quo'!

We bid a fond farewell to Vicky who flew safely back to London and was met by Arthur at Clapham Junction.

YELLOW BRICK TRACKER - SORRY TO THOSE OF YOU WHO FOLLOW US CLOSELY - THIS IS NO LONGER WORKING WE HAVE TRIED CHARGING THE BATTERY BUT IT WILL NOT ACCEPT NEW CHARGE. WE ARE ALL OK BUT THIS TRACKER HAS FAILED. 

Carango cast off half a day ahead of the pack and headed back out into the Indian Ocean for what transpired to be some of the best sailing we have had in the entire voyage. A broad reach with full sail and 18 - 35 knot of wind. We held the sail more courageously that we ever have before and it paid dividends and no breakages and some serious speeds. Mustn’t push the luck too far though.

We are now South of the southernmost tip of Madagascar and no baddies have been spotted yet - we are probably going too fast.

We overtook a tanker yesterday ……. Carango at 12 knots plus
 The number in the top left of the screen 12.2 is Carango speed and Carango is the solid black boat on the screen - the tanker, somewhat surprised to be over taken, is doing 9.5 knots. Interesting point in International collision rules steam gives way to sail but the overtaking boat must stay clear. Carango graciously left the tanker to starboard! annoyingly the wind died down about 3 hours later and he came past us again. When we spoke to him on VHF he asked: “Are you sailing or motoring?” 



 The day drew to a close - one of the best days sailing we have had on this entire trip.

I had a very happy birthday on 6th November with greetings from all over and some great presents. The Foie gras and fig jam went down a treat with the whole crew that coupled with a bottle of pink champagne made a great day to remember. Thank you everyone.