19:26.485N 40:12.078W Goldilocks weather at last-just right

Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Thu 18 Nov 2021 07:38
Goldilocks weather at last - just right

Wednesday

El viento esta aqui! Last night, Stuart had prepared us to hoist sails at
first light. True to his predictions, as rosy-fingered dawn arrived we began
to get a good 15 knots of wind, and spent the morning speeding forward with
three sails out. The staysail particularly has given a lot of stability and
speed.

"Soak 'er down' says Stuart to Raymond on the helm, who is trying not to
smile too much as we reach the heady heights of almost 10 knots of speed OG.
It feels good to be off engine and seeing Irene IV in her natural condition,
sailing incredibly well, cutting and splashing through the darker blue
water. Sarah jumps in and takes a turn on the helm, keeping our course true
towards Antigua.

The morning saw an incredible cloudy sunrise with a rainbow in the north,
and several cloud-rain-pillar formations surrounding us. A further drizzle
of morning rain freshened up a crew accustomed to the previous days of dead
heat.

Lunch of a saucy chorizo and fish hoosh served up by Sarah - no flying fish
were harmed. A dinner of salad and omelette by Manuela scoring a home run
with the crew.
Raymond played some light, headache-worthy percussion with a spatula and
some glass bottles with a little water in them.

The afternoon sees the sun glistening on the ocean as we cruise along the
waves, less bumping and rolling in this formation than in previous days.

Manuela is working on food strategy and tactics, putting in long hours to
keep things in order, as well as ensuring a daily flow of morning fruit
vitamins for the crew. Scurvy kept at bay for now, although Ian is imagining
his first sip of a Caribbean rum & coke, and Stuart is fantasising about
brownies and hagendas ice cream.

As always, dear Reader, jelly baby rations are in severe need of
augmentation.

We have begun to see Caribbean seagrass floating in the water, a promising
sign of progress.

The night comes on with a stunning bright moon illuminating the clouds. More
of the same tomorrow would be fantastic.