24 hour Run     Log trip (through the water)          105.2Nm (428.2Nm cumulative)

24 hour Run     GPS     (overground)                   102.7Nm

Midday wind and weather                                    Force 2 SW      Sunny with some cumulus   

Sea state:                                                           Rolling swell with some small waves 

Temperature:                                                      27C

 

We seem to have been able to scoot round the Low which has been causing problems north of us and are now making quite good progress southwards, although we did have to motor for 8 hours during the night as the winds died away (so its warm water for showers today). Our information is that the Trade Winds, which we are looking for to take us across the Atlantic, are available but unusually far south for the time of year so its 'go south old men' for us. At least we will not have to re-diesel in the Cape Verdes like some of the ARC boats.

 

As conditions become warmer our thoughts turn to more tropical matters. Glen has deployed the fishing kit, purchased in Tenerife, yesterday but has, as yet, caught nothing. This is perhaps just as well as we don't yet know how to land anything we catch. The recipe book recommends shooting the fish in the water with semi-automatic rifle fire (but then it is written by an American!).  

 

The Dolphins come and check on us every so often, in pods of 10 up to maybe 100. Sometimes a real show-off does an acrobatic flip out off the water. At night the phosphorescence in the water lights them up as they swoop past.  The towed generator also sets off mini light flashes extending for many meters in the water off our stern.

 

The Dolphins are now so common that nobody rushes on deck any more although Peter was able to watch them whilst he made breakfast. Last night we had an excellent stew made by Ted and awarded ourselves a bottle of wine.

 

We were interested to hear Kay's report of snow in the UK and it was some time before the tears were wiped away and we could return to watchkeeping. Whether they were tears of sadness or laughter I leave to you to judge.

 

JMH