Course  295  

 

Speed 6.3 kts

 

 

 

We had expected to motor overnight but picked up 10 - 14 knots of norherly wind at about 7pm.. Since then we have been sailing at speed in a flat sea which hasn't yet picked up a significant swell.  It's brilliant and the wind and boat speeds have been increasing steadily all day as the wind has shifted to the NE.

 

Faster still tonight and tomorrow but it's going to get rough !

 

 

Domestic 

 

A big day !

 

We motored for 12 hours yesterday and the key events took place shortly after we had downloaded our blog at 6pm.  

 

We could see what we thought were rain showers at a number of points across the horizon and it slowly became clear that one was heading towards us. For 3 men who have been washing from a bucket for 2 weeks the idea of a fresh water shower was very appealing so we grabbed the shower gel and got ready for the tropical downpour that was to follow.

 

The rain started to fall, and for those who haven't experienced tropical rainfall,  it really does fall from the sky.

 

At that moment, there was a vicious squeal from the back of the cockpit.  It was the reel and from the look of the rod then we were in to a big fish.  We put the engine into neutral and started to manoeuver the boat, from the start it was clear that this fish was acting differently to the dorado's we have caught before. 

 

The struggle that followed was entertaining, not least because Tim was trying to fish and wash at the same time as the rain beat down on him. This fish seemed different as it sped off and down.  Unlike a Dorado the clutch had to be used a lot as we only had 35lb breaking strain line ,as the fish tired a bit Tim managed to reel it in only for another dive.  The fish was brought near to the surface a number of times but still had plenty of fight and returned to the depths with a scream from the reel as we tried to tire him (all this whilst Tim was having a shower in his pants). As the fish neared the surface we appeared to have caught an electric eel !  A very bright image, It literally shone with a fierce blue light that changed to white as it dived away each time.

 

After 10 minutes the struggle was over and our catch came to the surface  and the crew went ecstatic because it was a Tuna of some size .He was far easier to gaff than a dorado and was quickly dropped to the cockpit floor for a splash of the cheap vodka we keep to hand for the job.

 

The rain continued to pour from the heavans as we looked down on our prize - A beautiful 20 lb Tuna.

 

 

An hour or so of butchery (fish mongery ?) in the cockpit and we have 4 enormous tuna fillets in the fridge.  We have of course tried a little raw tuna, still warm from the fish and it is beautiful.

 

We understand that "I'm a celebrity ..." has now finished but in the spirit of the programme ( and because Tim had told him that people can survive on the liquids from fish-eyes as a substitute for water ), Ricky ate an eye from our catch.  He said that it tasted fine but Tim and Jez were in no hurry to join him.

 

A wash, really good food for days and whilst all this was happening, the wind started to blow which is why we are now sailing fast towards Antigua - A good day for the crew of Sadie. 

 

 

Natural History.

 

We know that there are bluefin and yellowfin tuna.  We assume that this is bluefin as it is a striking blue colour, especially the eye.  It also glowed an electric blue whilst in the water and fighting the line.  The underside is silver and this was glowing white as it turned over to dive.

 

We weighed our catch at just over 20lb.  He was about 2' long and really fat and chubby. Almost all of him was muscle and flesh with little but the very thick backbone.

 

He had 2 large, complete flying fish in his gut.

 

 

A quick note about the night sky ,our first sighting of the night is Venus who is bright and in the west and its amazing how low Polaris is (north star) as we are so far south ,we are good at spotting the little bear and orions belt amongst others.

 

 

 

 

Ricky has a request - what's happening with the FTSE and specifically what's happened to his LLoyds shares ?   Sirdi - one for you if you are watching but response welcome from anyone.

 

Emily - well done on the 95% on your dissertation - keep it going

 

Jen - Houbara is a hell of a cat at 24m.  Yes we have the wind !

 

Richard - Thanks for the cricket update.  FV was nice but it's a long way behind us now.

 

Jason - your spot weather is accurate - ta

 

Lizzie - lot's going on for you darling but I dont think you have to do the dance if yu dont want to.

 

Alex - thanks for the football update.

 

William R - Glad you are well again and yes, I think we will be home for Xmas