Fw: Day 6 - 24 hour run 85nm
Freespirit
Sat 2 Dec 2006 00:20
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We have had some highs and lows in the last 24 hours. Yesterday was a low wind, low mileage run through the day that allowed us all to relax and get into the business of seriously unwinding on board. We caught Freddy's brother at dusk yesterday - regrettably with the new-fangled rod that Colin and James have put their faith in rather than the trusty "Captain's rig" that caught the last 2! Technology rules....  A good catch - lunch for
today
We watched Top Gun on the DVD after
supper and felt pretty good about the day in spite of the slow progress.
However, the wind dropped at nightfall and just
kept dropping until we were totally becalmed at 0200. It was a bit weird
drifting with no sails up in a millpond Atlantic showing 0.00 on both the log
and wind indicator! We have decided to forego the use of the engine all
the way across (even though we are allowed to in the rules if we report the
hours under engine) but I was beginning to doubt the wisdom of this at 0400 when
I turned in leaving James in charge of a motionless boat. I am delighted
to report that I woke up at 0800 to feel and hear the friendly surge of Free
Spirit making 5 knots again. We put up the spinnaker at 0900 and have been
having another wonderful run in 12-15 knots since then. The sun is getting
really hot, the sky is blue, there are almost no waves and we had fresh fish for
lunch. It doesn't get much better..
 James in the more familiar pose - with
a wake behind him
We are now falling into our various job
and watch patterns and starting to get seriously organised for 10 days of
downwind sleigh-ride with the trades. Forecast is for it to increase from
10-15 knots to 20 tonight and a bit more over the next few days. Bring it
on! But not before coffee....
 It is really hard work -
honestly.....
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