16:58.5N  38:05.4W  908 miles run,  1354 miles to go. 

Number of times Moyra has stood on somebody’s toes – 5

Progress made on the knitted chocolate Labrador - Nil

Cracking along averaging around 6 knots per hour but picking up to over 10 occasionally when we hit a wave just right and surf off the top.  It’s quite a ride.  The sun is shining most of the time and we have only had a couple of squalls that dumped a whole heap of rain on whoever was on watch and then vanished within a few minutes. 

We haven’t seen another vessel for over four days but we check in twice a day to the Magellan Net to hear where the rest of the fleet are up to.  There are more than forty yachts calling in now so we have a real sense of community.  All the more so because of the amazing response to Egret’s plight.  She is now drifting slowly west with a drogue anchor in the water creating enough drag to give her a bit of steerage.  The other yachts that left Cape Verdes after her and are roughly on the same passage towards Barbados are calling in  as they get closer and diverting so that they can go close for a day or two to boost morale and help with supplies for their, now, very long time at sea.  Our friends Alan and jean on Toatara are heading their way with timber, drills and expertise to assist in making a temporary rudder.  It is really inspiring how everyone is offering so much support even when it means significant changes to their plans.  Patrick and Amanda on board Egret are doing really well as a result.

Michael caught another whoppa yesterday but it fell off the line before it was close enough to look at.  Fortunately this time it didn’t bite through the line so we didn’t lose the lure but the fish must have a bit of a sore lip at least.  He is girding his loins and summoning up his inner hunter-gatherer, all the more determined and ready for today’s attempt.

We are rolling from side to side as expected although the sea is still anything up to 4 metre of swell.  That should decrease and give us a more comfortable ride but we are pretty much used to it now.  Everything takes a lot longer to do because you are staggering and being thrown around thereby finding yourself heading rapidly in the opposite direction to that intended.  We hold on tight and count the bruises.

All is well and we are enjoying ourselves.  Hot dogs for lunch – woohoo!