Third Day
Ile Jeudi
Bob and Lin Griffiths
Fri 27 Jul 2012 11:00
|
33:19.61N 15:40.38W
Friday 27 July 2012, 12.00
Distance Run in 24 Hrs, 148 Miles. Total, 387
Miles
Distance to Go 37 Miles
We have sailed continously since just after 8am
yesterday with a steady wind between 12 and 16 knots from the north or north
west. The sea has been getting gradually easier making life on board much
more pleasant. We had a clear sky for part of last night so the view of
the stars without light pollution was stunning.
Most of the time there has been a 0.5 knot current
flowing in our direction and for several hours
yesterday this increased to 1 knot. The 'Distance Run' at
the top of the page is from the log which records our speed
through the water but it can't record the fact the water is also moving.
So the distance achieved has fortunately been greater.
This morning at about 11am the wind moved around to
the west which means we cannot sail directly to Porto Santo and the
strength dropped to 6 knots. So we were sailing very slowly and not
in the right direction so have decided to run the engine again so we
can make a more direct course and possibly reach Porto Santo this evening before
it gets dark. This would avoid another night at sea.
We have seen only one ship in the last 24 hours
which got no closer than 8 miles.
As I write this (about 2pm) some clouds have
cleared ahead and we can see the high peaks of Madeira on the
horizon! |