good evening
at 21.30 tonight our position is
15 29 04N 44 18 48W
and we are sailing albeit rather slowly towards St Lucia with another
milestone hit today -- less than 1000 miles to go
but in many ways today was the hardest day aboard the boat since we started.
the morning started grey and cloudy and jason and i got soaking at about
0800 whilst skip and golly slept. the weather never really improved during
the day but the wind dropped to its lightest since we started and the boat
speed dropped below 5kt the speed we reaslly need to maintain to keep the
boat from rolling too uncomfortably
more weather charts and more planning but at the end of the day no wind
means going nowhere. we turned south to try to get some speed and i went
off to have a sleep.
when i woke 2 hours later there had been a discussion about using the engine
to save some time and another discussion took place
now really i have to admit that i would like to cross the atlantic and
arrive in st lucia using sail alone.we have calculated that for power and
battery recharging over the last 2 weeks we have used less than 60 litres of
diesel which i think is remarkable and it would be a real achievement to
finish using wind alone. for some others the destination is in sight and
they just want to get there. i can see some difficult days ahead but ill
keep you posted. For now the promise of jam tomorrow and some crafty diesel
usage calculations and reserve volumes for safety reasons has calmed matters
for two days an egret has been using the boat as a helpful stop off point
mid atlatic. it really looked tired and thin but over the last 2 days seems
to be rejuvenated and tonight seems to have flown of-- with a litgtle
helping hand from me!
eating again has been exceptional today. A muesli breakfast followed by
steak and onion sandwiches (hot) with english mustard for lunch and evening
meal ----- incredible. a sheila meat sausage and rib ragu with polenta
followed by hot apple and custard. a real treat was james waking me this
afternoon with a cup of tea and a block of cadbury fruit and nut chocolate
from the fridge--- good old skip
its easy to be a fair weather sailor is the old adage and i think there may
be some truth in the saying. these last days will be tough mentally if the
weather doesnt blow our way ( asnd all the forecasts say it wont) but i
promise i will not give in easily when we have come so far and just take the
easy way out -- no sir not my style! --- get ready for
fireworks
a big hello tonight for all jasons followers who are emailing him-- youre
doing a great job and to gollys following --- keep the messages coming
sleep tight
MG
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