Evening Day 6

Top Secret
Feel The Magic Yacht Vacations
Thu 28 Nov 2013 19:00
Date : 28/11/2013
Time (UTC) : 18:30
Position : 25:07.780N 24:20.160W
Distance Traveled : 900 nm
Heading (TRUE) : 260 degrees
Average Speed : 06.24 kts
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Barometer Reading : 1009
Wave height : 04 ft
Wind Speed (TRUE) : 12.50 kts
Wind Direction (TRUE) : 160 degrees
Water Temperature : 23 C
Air Temperature : 24 C
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ACTIVITIES:

Greeting followers

We have had an interesting day, it began with an overnight motor sail and we were welcomed by the sight of a mill pond, which in sailing terms is pretty depressing.

After much debate we decided to head for the Cape Verde Islands to get much needed fuel and jerry cans for still more fuel. So we set sail south with slight disappointment in the air. Shortly after this time the wind started to pick up and Rean and I discussed putting up the code O or screacher sail, this is an enormous foresail.

As with all things connected with sailing it is never quite as simple as it seems and on this occasion this involved setting up a short pole protruding from the centre of the bow. In order to connect the pole, two steel cables had to be attached just below the water line of the bows. This involved getting a bowsens sling out and Rean was lowered down to attached the cables to the pad eyes. This exercise went well and soon enough the sail was rigged and operational, this wind continued to pick up, so we have made good progress today which has lifted our spirits.

Jan decided that he was going to provide us with an English breakfast, an admirable display of his culinary skills which was enjoyed by all, some of us washed his brunch down with a couple of cold beers.

During the afternoon it became clear that we might just have picked up (at long last) the Trade Winds!!

Rean has now decided that we have now done enough southing and so we are now heading almost westerly with just over 2000 miles to go, in other words we are about 1/3 into the journey.

(Please note Julain's iridium email does not work so liaise with Jo or call me)