Date: 21-10-06     Time: 17:00 UTC      Position: 30:24.40N  014:35.1W   Name: Atlantic Ocean

 

Vi fikk en fin kveld og natt, og etter de første 24 timer var vi kommet 10 mil over halvveis-punktet. Siden har vinden løyet noe og vi har holdt en fart på 4-tallet. Dette er egentlig bra fordi da kommer vi frem på dagen, og slipper å "bremse" for å unngå natt-ankomst. Vi har sett svært lite trafikk siden vi dro. Utenom Dream Catcher og den danske båten kom det en seilbåt på motsatt kurs av oss, og passerte bare 2-300m på vår styrbord side. Et par fiskebåter har også vist seg man langt ut mot horisonten, likedan et par større skip. Litt skuffende har vi hverken sett delfiner, eller skillpadder men jeg så en ensom flygefisk. Vi fikk se mange stjerneskudd - det var ikke måne i det hele tatt og forholdene for å titte på stjernehimmelen var perfekte. Den rolige sjøen har betydd en fin seileopplevelse der det er lett å sove, lage mat, lese osv. På middagsbordet snart blir det biff med poteter og brokkoli.Nå klokka 17 UTC har vi 88 mil igjen som tyder på ankomst midt på dagen.

 

 

Sorry about the lateness of this being sent. The Iriduim satellite system seems to be playing up yet again - I really would not recommend this to anyone reading who is contemplating using Iridium on a similar sail trip. It seems to have the stability of an Italian coalition government.

 

We  had a fine evening and night, after the first 24 hours we were ten miles beyond the half way point, though since then the wind has weakened and we are only doing speeds in the 4 knot range. This doesn't matter at all, as it assures that we get in to Grasiosa in the daylight. Any faster and we would have to put the brakes on during the night if we want a daylight arrival. We have not seen much traffic out here. Apart from Dream Catcher and the Danish boat we met one sailboat on reciprocal course who passed just 2-300m on our starboard side in the night. Two fishing boats have also been visible on the horizon and two larger vessels have benn spotted. Rather disappointingly we have not seen dolphins or turtles though I have just seen a flying fish. There was however a good display of shooting stars in the night - there was no moon and perfect conditions for star gazing. We have however had a very quiet sea which has made life on board very comfortable for making food, sleeping, reading etc. On the dinner table tonight is steak with potatoes and broccoli. Now at 17 UTC we have 88 miles left to sail, implying arrival in the middle of the day.