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20:57.000N
22:58.000W
I think its fair to say that David Attenborough,
although clearly very talented and someone who has kept the Nation captured by
his natural history programmes for around 30 years can do nothing compared
to what we saw today.
We are heading South to get some winds and
have been making slow progress as the wind has dropped to around 5kts. While
this is slow and frustrating its impact on the running rigging and the sails
needs to be monitored closely for chafe - the final result of this is that
we have decided to lower the sails and start the engine and motor further in to
the Trade Winds (yes we do pay a penalty for this).
So back to mother nature. You must picture this. A
nearly flat Atlantic Ocean with a full 360 degree horizon without a cloud in
sight. The natural beauty and nature of the colour of the blue sky and the
sea is indescribable. The water is clear. Suddenly we see fins in the water
and before we know it there are 7 or 8 dolphins playing within one metre of
the bow of GE. They are so adept they swim and play with each other
alongside their new friend GE only surfacing for less than a second for air.
They seem to dance in the water and change places almost asking for friendship
in a cheeky way as they keep up with us effortlessly. They stayed with us
for about five minutes before swimming off but the memory will stay with
the crew of GE for ever - we are guests in their environment.
If the weather forecasts are anywhere near correct
we hope to find the winds by midnight on Thursday - essentially we are
heading towards them as they are heading North. Radio communications were
poor today as the fleet is getting more dispersed as the trip progresses. The
ships log is saying 589 miles but we are taking a longer route to the South -
the gamble is better winds and a faster passage??
All on GE wish you well. We are all fine and we
hope you are too.
PS Still no more fish and we have lost most of our
lures. The plan for tomorrow is to make a lure from a Coke can.......the plan is
in place.
PPS It is now 02.30 and the winds have not appeared
yet!!!!!
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