Day 2
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Mon 13 Dec 2010 17:55
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25.03.895N 021.40.790W
Monday Noon position. 290 miles so
far
For several hours yesterday we were able to turn
the engine off and had a very pleasant sail on our course of 242m but by late
afternoon the wind became variable in direction and strength so once again it
was back to motor. Another clear night as we powered along with no other vessels
showing on radar or AIS. Dinner was the mahi-mahi baked with fresh fruit and
preceded by John's new La Gomera favourite - dates wrapped in bacon! It is a
hard life!
The ocean passage from the Canaries to the
Caribbean is regarded as one of the "classics" and it is known as "The Milk Run"
because it is normally an 'easy' sail -- "head south until the butter melts and
then go west" is traditional advice or head to 25N 25W to catch the trades
is another. This year is different and the ARC yachts have been plagued
with light winds and since then strong SW winds have stopped yachts leaving
the Canaries. We are already at 25N but if we head further west we will get SW
winds so now we are again motoring on a glassy sea on a course of 210m which
gives us the option of a stop in the Cape Verdes if we need more fuel. We took
on an extra 120 litres in cans back in La Gomera so if necessary we can motor
all the way to Cape Verdes but we hope we will pick up the NE trades about
200 miles N of them and then we can head west with a reserve of
fuel.
Otherwise life at sea is very tranquil, the
chocolate is melting in the Advent Calendar and the crew are reading
furiously.
Best wishes to all from the
"Moonbeamers"
PS It is 28degs C in the cabin right
now!
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