37 42N 18 46W

Osprey
John Bowering
Wed 17 Jun 2009 19:08
The wind turned out to be where it was forecast to be which is a first for
this voyage. Just after passing 20 West we picked up a 15 knot wind which is
just east of north. This has been pushing us along at 7 knots since 0800
this morning. The apparent wind is heading for 20 knots and with all the
sails up we have been lying on our ear most of the time. We have just stood
the vessel upright to make some food and once that is done we will reset
the sail into the night time mode - no staysail, and about 70% each of the
main and Genoa. That should ensure we maintain our speed but also enable the
off watch person to get some sleep. The seas are building in this wind but
nothing uncomfortable as yet. We are about half way to the
Spanish/Portuguese mainland but that of course is a lot closer than the
Straits of Gibraltar. At this rate we might get the chance to view both St
Vincent and Trafalgar to say a few tributes to Nelson.

"Notes from a Small Bouncing Boat" - after over two days of motor sailing we finally managed to turn the engine off and sail from 1800-2400 last night, then the wind dropped so on came the engine again. That is until John's morning watch when the wind came - much rejoicing, bands were playing etc etc. So we have been sailing all today, at a fair zip.
The sea is somewhat choppy, and unfortunately the swell is obliquely across our path, which is making the ride a little bumpy. Added to this we are heeled over the starboard, with John failing to get us upright - it seems he is fallible.
Charles has spent most of the day sleeping as he has been feeling a bit off colour for the past 24 hrs. Hopefully he will be brighter tomorrow, because with only two onboard when one isn't on top form the conversation tends to dry up.
After the attention Osprey received from mammals yesterday there has been nothing to see except a solitary bird in the middle distance. So far on this passage we are yet to see any other sailing yachts, and have only seen one merchant vessel but this should all change as we approach the Straits of Gibraltar