Day 4
Pemandia
Peter Fabricius
Tue 17 May 2016 17:05
After the excitements of the night (reefing in the small hours) and being rather bounced around at breakfast rime, things have settled down during the day. A westerly (head) wind is to be expected but I am making good progress, currently managing to steer a bit W of S. It is enough to take me well clear of NW Spain which at just over 200 miles is currently the nearest land. However I expect I will have had a further wind shift before then and if no will tack and head out West.
The wind has been Force 4, so perfect sailing (of course off the wind would be nice). During much of the day the sun was out and the water sparkling. It has clouded over now. I had a fine display of dolphins yesterday afternoon playing in the vow wave for half an hour.
Very little shipping but strangely at lunch time I passed close to a tanker which just stopped. It's AIS signal said not under command. As I was within a mile I called on VHF wondering if it was all right. Apparently it was awaiting instructions. A second tanker was approaching the same position and also just stopped there. I suppose it is cheaper to stay at sea than pay berthing fees and perhaps it is more competitive if it can get quickly to wherever the cargo is? Curious.
I have sailed almost 350 miles since leaving Falmouth. While writing this, the wind has veered a few degrees and it looks as if a squall is on the way so I paused to take in a precautionary reef.
Peter
Peter Fabricius
Berwick House
Upper Clatford
Hampshire SP11 7PS
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