Atlantic Adventure Part 3

Kirofbrixham
Sun 9 May 2010 14:28
Dear Reader,
 
As I write this we are nearing the half way point on this leg of the journey home.  The GPS "25:04.60N 64:41.18W" shows 440nm to go to Bermuda with 420nm the agreed half way point.  We should reach this milestone at about 2pm local time or about 1900 UTC.  By that time we will have been at sea for 3 days and 2 hours - so only another 3 days and a few hours to go.
 
So far the journey has been trouble free with winds mainly ENE and varying from force 2 to force 5.  Progress has slowed since the first day as winds have been lighter.  As I write, we are motoring because the wind has gone very light and backed north.  However, this has given us the opportunity to charge the batteries, check the boat and run the water maker.  Water is not really an issue on this relatively short trip but water discipline needs to be practiced so we are still being careful.
 
After our first night at sea the dawn broke with a pod (is this the right collective noun?) of small grey green dolphins or porpoises playing in the bow - our first sight of these incredible creatures this trip.  Other than that, wildlife has been sparse.  We are sailing through the Sargasso Sea and we are seeing a lot of the floating weed renowned for this region but so far, thankfully, we have not seen the large floating islands sometimes associated with it.
 
Temperatures are dropping, mainly because the sea temperature has dropped from the 28C in the BVIs to a more temperate 21C.  This has kept temperatures down below tolerable and sleeping is not an issue.  So far today we have not seen the sun with conditions overcast.  The radar has shown several lines of showers rolling in from the east but so far we have spared any heavy rain.
 
After Ian's speciality on the first night we have been treated to a superb omelette from Jim and steak with fried potatoes from Graeme. Ian is threatening to do a chicken curry tonight.  So we're not going hungry.  The bananas ripened quickly and have now been eaten but the rest of the fresh fruit and veg is standing up to the heat well.  We have nearly finished the fresh meat so we are moving onto the tinned stuff.
 
We're all still talking to each other although keeping oneself busy is important.  With generally steady winds there is not a lot to do so boredom can be an issue.  So far, conversation (particularly Jim's anecdotes and jokes), books, cooking, cleaning and general boat maintenance have kept us amused.
 
We understand the automatic updates on the Mailasail web site may not be working.  Apologies for that.  We are trying to rectify the situation but we may not be able to make contact until Monday.  We are receiving e-mails and we are grateful for those we get - keep them coming!
 
Not a huge amount to report - but we think that's generally good - so signing off for now.
 
Ian, Graeme and Jim on Kir of Brixham