Frustrating weather continues

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Sun 13 May 2012 11:55
33:48.21N 75:14.17W

Sunday morning 13th May

Well at least we were sailing all day yesterday and in fact made very good
progress directly towards our next target which is the point at which we
plan to cross the Gulf Stream. Sadly though, as the evening approached, the
wind died away again leaving us once again relying on the old 'iron topsail'
to keep us on schedule to reach Cape Henry (the inlet to the Chesapeake) at
first light on Tuesday 15th May. We had encouraging periods during the night
when the wind picked up to 18 - 20 knots from the SE, but as soon as you got
all the sails reset it died away again!

A lot of swell all day which increased with the wind through the day, but
when the wind died we were left rolling in a manner that seemed designed to
make sleep as difficult as possible.

There has been a slight increase in the amount of traffic around us (we saw
one yacht, and three ships) and on the plus side we had a few visits from a
small pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins. But they were very quiet and subdued
it seems and played largely underwater around the bow, with almost no showy
displays.

Sadly little else to report, but we are getting close now and today we will
be raising the Stars and Stripes courtesy flag on the cross trees in
preparation. Hope they have got the band ready to welcome us!!