Steady Breeze at Last

Flyer of Lorne
Dave Sturrock
Tue 11 Nov 2008 03:23
37:21.60N 06:14.77E
 
Monday 10 November
 
Days Run 132NM
 
We have continued to make our passage along the Algerian coast keeping around 15NM offshore to avoid local fishing boat activity.The winds had continued to be only around F2-3 from the NW untill around 18:30 when we saw the wind shift to the NE and we were finally able to hoist the No 1 Gennaker. This has been giving 7-9knots of boatspeed which is helping our progress considerably. We should now arrive at Algiers around midnight tonight(Tuesday). Our next port of call will be Gibralter where we should arrive around Sat 15 November to collect more crew for the journey South.
 
The highlight of today was a sighting of a school of around 12 Pilot whales. We were able to get within a few yards and take some photos.
 
We have also been able to put both toilets back into service, the details of how this was achieved will remain secret! Sufficient to say, I would never make the grade as a plumber.
 
Some of the items of kit that have been a real success on the trip so far are as follows: the Harken quick release winch handle, Harken loop blocks, the head torch ( allows the wearer to sort out lines much faster after dark), e-mail and weather forecasting service.