22 Nov - Day 6 Position at 14.42 hrs 22:58.2N 019:51.20W
Imagine Of Falmouth Online Log
Jon Constantine
Thu 22 Nov 2007 16:14
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Day 6 - Distance to Antigua 2389 nm (nautical miles). I think we might have finally reached the trade winds or more likely, they have come to meet us. During the watches last night, the wind slowly came around to the north and thus allowed us to steer the course we wanted to our first waypoint out in the Atlantic - where longitude 20 north, crosses latitude 30 west. That's about 600 miles from our present position. It is the point where, as the saying goes, the butter melts and you turn right. I guess that was before the days of fridges and as our is now working well after a long period of being on strike, I'd better be careful not to follow the butter theory or we may end up in Brazil. (better than New York?). An uneventful night but not only did the wind move round, it also increased to about 12 kts allowing us to start making a respectable speed through the water. By 10 o'clock this morning, we were spanking along at 6 to 7 kts. Sam had just gone for a catch up kip with her usual warning "wake me up if you see any dolphins". Well sure enough, the little minkies must have heard her because within a short while a group of them arrived and started frollicking around the bow. How those creatures swim so fast with just a few inches of tail flicking really amazes me. Sam took lots more pictures and some movie video -she is currently selecting todays pix so I'm not yet sure what you will get at the end of this log. We have had the fishing line out every day since we left Lanzarote (we take it in at night) but have not had so much as a sniff. Just as we were watching the dolphins from the foredeck, the line went whizzing out - a sure sign of either a fish or a large polythene bag. This time it was definately a fish (we have actually caught 3 poly bags but I didn't think it was worth mentioning it in the blog). By the time we got back to the cockpit and control of the rod, the fish had run out most of the line and we were in danger of losing not only the lure but also the line. I jammed the reel brake on full and just managed to stop it as Sam took control of the rod. (I thought it was my turn?). Within a minute or two the line went dead and he was gone. That's fishing folks! Hold your hands as far as you can apart - yup thats about the right size. I'll get him next time - or Sam will. All this wildlife about, woke up our third crew member who originally joined us in Gibraltar. He's been very quiet since leaving Calero. I think he's worried about not having a passport and what might happen to him when we reach Antigua. Anyway, he insisted on coming on deck and quickly decided we weren't doing things properly and immediately took over the helm and wanting his picture taken. His name is Phil and you may see lots more of him over the coming weeks. We may even be running a "Where is Phil" photo competition (his idea not mine. I said it makes him sound like a right Wally). Thanks for all your emails - its nice to know you are reading and it seems, enjoying, the blog. Hello Mum - I'm ok - no need to worry about us. Those trips to Calais with you and Dad in "Valcon" (33 ft MFV) were much rougher than this and gave me a taste for what was to come. (Actually I was always as sick as a dog but that was probably cos Mum had taken up smoking cigars as a stop gap to giving up cigs. completely.) Well, thats about all the excitement for today.(I hope). 7.2 kts boat speed right now. Might need a reef in the main tonight. Best done before the sun goes down and I get drunk (just joking Mum). Til tomorrow .... Jon (and Sam) - I've promised to let Sam do a blog soon - if she lets me have my fishing rod back.  Sam watches the dolphins.  Phil decides to take over.  Phil in Party Mood (already?) |