Own Update Thursday
Night Owl
Ed Hall
Thu 7 Sep 2006 18:01
Owl News - Thursday
Its been a great 24 hours onboard Night Owl. What may have seemed a tedious task across Biscay has been a joy.
Entering deep water early this morning we are now at the surface of a 4 / 5 km deep sea.
Watch A report seeing a whale - although after 7 days at sea one questions the sanity of some. Watch B had enthralling experience of being followed by a school of dolphins in the middle of the night leaping and surfing the waves , shadowed by a stark moonlight and warm conditions. Today a small canary bird joined us for a spell and took sanctuary on the aft rail.
Jamie caught two mackrel off the back of the boat, they were duly released back to their friends and family and horrified onlookers. We may even replace the tinned sardines with fresh ones once our speed drops and we reach shallower waters.
On the sailing side we have been whizzing south towards Spain at a fantastic rate. Generally winds are F4/5 gusting 25 knots and boat speed averaging at 7 kn , peaking at times at 10! - and all with no main up and the number 2. Seas have been moderate at times fairly big and we are surfing along .
Winds north easterly - veering easterly and this concurs with the weather files we have downloaded - the forecast shows it may slacken off so we are making way with eagerness.
With less than 165 nm to the coast we have passed the all important half-way point in both physical and mental terms and we are looking forward to stepping foot on dry hot Spanish land.
ETA La Coruna: Friday late evening. Due to work comittments some of the crew may find alternates routes to Lisbon to ensure flights home are caught - update to follow.
Mobile phone reception expected Friday for those wishing to contact us .
Owl wishes to share a log entry from last night , make of it what you will.
05:00 steering 220. Wind 17.8 NE DTG 243 nm. comments: Richard raised to relieve Steve on the helm.
hmmmmmm.
Signing off till our final day.
THE OWL
XXX
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