Leaving Mindelo - ARC leg 2
Kelpie
Sarah and David Holtby
Sun 25 Nov 2018 15:48
The start for leg 2 was 1300. After a difficult morning getting diesel and topping up the water in a gale Kelpie had a really good start and led the fleet over the start line.
Our route took us straight into the wind acceleration zone between Sao Vicente and Sao Antao islands which basically means Force 7 gusting Gale Force 8 with Kelpie hurtling along at her maximum hull speed (around 8 1/2 knots).
Mindelo was lovely - its definitely African in character but with strong Portuguese influences - sort of Africa Lite. We found the people absolutely charming and very willing to go out of their way to be helpful and hospitable.
Settling back into the routine now; we have put the clocks back another hour and set the Great Circle route into the nav system - 2107 miles to Blue Lagoon, St Vincent! 15 days if we can keep the pace up!
D