0900 November 8th. Just hove to for breakfast after a great night of fast to
wind sailing. Managed to shut down the engine at 2230 last night as we
rounded San salvador Island on the windward side. Once past the island we
had a better lay line for the Turks and Caicos island and made good speed
under sail. We seem to have run the race well with Typhoon Lapaloma and
should now be in and out of the T & C before it arrives - wind speeds have
now been downgraded and in our area are only forecast to be gusting 35 knots
which is quite manageable for us should we have been there. Jonathan and
Finn are faring well and enjoying themselves. Finn is doing a great job of
the 8-12 and has already outstripped both John and his father in using the
computerised navigation system. Our plan is to go into Turtle Cove and
refuel there. We have used up a lot of fuel getting past the typhoon and
would like to have full tanks before we head down to the BVI. It is possible
that we will be headed by the wind on that leg and may need the engine.
Because of the delays we have had in departure fitting the windows and then
skirting Lapaloma Jonathan and Finn are looking at delaying their flights
home for a few days to give some leeway both in terms of our arrival in
Antigua and the ability not to have to push on too hard.