Decisions decisions

Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Thu 16 Dec 2010 17:51
   
19.28.236W      024.22.325W
 
Thursday Noon Position   nearly 700 miles to date 
 
Yesterday afternoon was great sailing which continued all night - good wind, kind seas, warm air and heading in the right direction --- as long as you change plans to suit! The NW wind was allowing us to make good progress in a SW direction so we were not burning  diesel and we reckoned we had enough left to see us through the trade wind belt so no need to call at Cape Verdes! However the evening forecast was prophesying calm areas to the W & S and also calm before we reached the supposed trade wind 'belt'. So we decided to head S after all to top up fuel at Mindelo on Sao Vincente which we hope to reach on Friday afternoon - a bit of a disappointment to break the trip but the extra diesel will take away worries about the calm patches in this year's rather perverse Trade Wind weather pattern.
Good sailing all morning but to our surprise out here in the Ocean the wind is still fluky and variable. Joined in the Radio Net this morning and most yachts are making similar routes which will be good for the economy of the Cape Verdes and the new marina there.
Caught another Mahi-Mahi this afternoon so that is dinner sorted even if Lynn had requested a tuna! John and Maitland have been using their Domestic Science skills coupled with memories of Blue Peter on the TV to make a courtesy flag for the Cape Verdes! We had not intended to visit hence no flag but also we do not have electronic charts of the area - only paper ones - so it will be like the old days!
 
The Moonbeamers