Really slow at present.  Last night and this morning was spent heading west at 3 kts against a light North-westerly.  We got frustrated with slatting sails and little progress and at about midnight we set the spinnaker with a strop to the bow and flew it as a genniker.  The cut and shape isn't right for the job but boat speed rose from 3 to 4.5 kts so we were happy enough and our Monitor windvane was able to steer throughout.

 

Mid morning the wind died completely and then moved to the promised NE trades - at 3 kts !

 

We now have the spinnaker up ( with a pole as it should be used ) and are idling along at 2 1/2 kts, waiting for the wind speed to increase to the promised which will suit us fine. 

 

We are now amongst some big ships, having seen one this morning and we have a second,  the Hong Kong Spirit crossing our bow at 2 miles as we type.  We have spoken to both on the VHF to ask after other yachts and to confirm their weather forecast (and because it's nice to talk to someone else after 11 days ).  Both have the same as our forecast, 1 quoting meteo france and the other, the US weather service.

 

16.00 update - dead calm.  We waited and nothing has come so we are back on the engine but have only diesel to do this for 24 hrs if we are to eep enough to charge batteries etc.  Tough decision but this calm looks set in and we need to move.   

 

 

 

Baked Dorado for tea last night, eaten in the cockpit with rice and a tomato sauce.  We hooked a further two today, the first after a brilliant peice of hunter-gathering by Tim.  We spotted an old oil drum floating in the distance and on the basis of how he caught a fish earlier in the summer, we altered course and sailed close by ( we had wind back then ).  Sure enough, a fish hit the lure and we hauled a  Dorado that was a little bigger than yesterday's to the side of the boat.  Where it escaped and swam off ...

 

Out went the gear again and we had a second hit about an hour later.  Smaller fish but there is a good meal there for us and it is in the fridge.

 

We know that some of you have told us that you are having woodburners fitted or moving log deliveries to the back garden so this will go badly, but it's stinking hot here.  In the afternoon the sails provide shade in the cockpit from the sun in the west but the morning is difficult.  The solar panels like it though and as we have lost power from the wind generator it has been replaced by these and we still have, communications, lights etc.

 

Yesterday's blog failure was brought about because we tried to upload a picture. It has been done before but we have now tried twice and failed twice so all the good stuff will have to wait till we get back.

 

The wind has died completely at 3.30 pm and we have once again been for a swim in beautiful, clear, warm water.  In truth, we need to push on but we dont carry enough diesel to motor for too long so we have to wait - tea and cake is on the way to help with this.

 

 

Natural History.

 

Not much of anything today.  We were visited briefly by several dolphins and have seen lone Maderian Storm Petrels a couple of times.

 

Other than that it's just two dorado, One of whom was clearly patrolling under the discarded oil drum.  We presume because this attracts barnacles ( we found these on the net yesterday as well )and in turn various fish in the food chain.

 

 

 

Joseph - lots more info.  Thanks.  I have never heard of handball and you can tell me all about it once you have been.

 

Harv - How's the dragon ( No, not your teacher !).  And were you ringing bells along with Lizzie's singing ?

 

Lizzie - I always look forward to your texts.  Thanks very much and sorry the blog has been too late for bedtime for the last couple of days.  Glad you are enjoying your tests at school. 

 

Jason - Hi mate.  It is different to sailing in a brickpit!  Weather is great but right now that means no wind.  Passage weather on the internet will give you the picture. 

 

Chris - we tried calling Zenara and Panniken on vhf last night and again today.  No response from Mr Campbell Bottoms but at 72' he probably has a big engine and tanks.  And do you now if the ARC has a fixed time to report positions so that we can compare more readily ?  And we are fine - thanks for asking.

 

Frank (Guru) - you still hold that title !

 

Granny Jen - Fish great and all well.

 

Rachel - Hope you are allright.  How are Mum and Graham getting on with moving ?