`Midnight we had made it as far as 16:46.04N 41:09.24W – Friday 12th of December, 2008.

Engine Time – 0 Hours

We have been traveling South to dodge the weather now for about 100 mile’s.  It had been horrible, the seas are rough, confused and all over the place, not to mention big and the wind is rather tame for such a sea state. To top it all off is the wind direction is the same direction we want to travel in so it is right up our behind. This you may think sounds perfect but believe me the boat losses all it’s stability the minute the wind gets behind anything above 135 degrees on either quarter. Partly the design of Silky and partly the horrible part of the crossing that everyone never speaks about so we are doing our best to zig zag our way into land. We also lose a lot of the winds effectiveness as each knot we gain is a knot of apparent wind lost. I do hope it changes shortly because the further we must sail means that Christmas could well be on the water. Oh and my beer stock will be out, which is not exactly looking to good at the moment anyhow. You never know I may arrive on the other side with a wash board stomach. But I do hope not.

Special comments by Fiona:  Well our beautiful conditions have subsided and we now have lumpy, horrible sea’s.  I think we were spoilt in the first week with such perfect conditions.  I’m finding myself getting very frustrated at being thrown about the cabin, bruises from head to toe and sleepless nights from the continuous rolling motion.  Something as simple as making a cup of tea proves to be a test of skill!  I’m not surprised though, I didn’t actually expect that we’d have perfect conditions for the whole crossing.  Have to take the good with the bad I suppose!  But believe me the bad is very trying and testing on one’s sanity!!!!!!  Are we there yet????

Day 143

Traveling Direction – West

Wind Direction – East

Swell – Very lumpy and horrible

Average Speed –  4.9

Top Speed – 8.8 Knots Through the water

Distance Covered – 119.0 Nautical Miles