Tuesday postn 26.20.N,17.54W

Moonshine
Tue 28 Nov 2006 03:26
Again, It's 2.30a.m.
Dave is on watch on deck, Alun is sleeping. I've just come off the 11-2a.m. watch. Strange thing is that these odd sleep patterns are not a chore, they just become part of the routine.
It is a lovely night. Clear and mild. there is a squall to our port side that was bearing down on us but is now passing ahead and will not affect us.
The stars are spectacular. At home, with the light pollution, clouds, and small sky, the stars just are not visible. Here the sky is huge. If it isn't sea, it's sky! There are no trees or houses to obscure it, no streetlights, no lights from distant towns, just wall to wall stars. Shooting stars are normal and frequent. It does not really get dark. There is sufficient light just from the stars to see the sea around us.
We saw our first flying fish this morning. There will be many more as we get further south. We also saw dolphin, but then we are used to them in Cornwall now.
There are two boats in sight, one alongside, but about 8 miles off, and the other about 4 miles behind us. Both are on the same course.
We are currently about 10 miles off our desired course, but have chosen to run with the wind, and go further south. It's not really important, 10 miles at this point, with 2700 to go is like being 100 yards off course going to the Helford. By running with the wind, we were making better boat speed.
We need to make a sail change to get back on course, and will do this at first light.
All in all it's been a beautiful day of warm tradwind sailing.
This is not a dry boat, so now I will have a small Barbados rum and retire to my bunk.

Do you know, I miss Pam Spriggs not waking me up in the mornings!

All the best, Rod, Dave, Alun -SY Moonshine


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