We pushed off on the 21^st of November at 8:28am this time headed for the Cape Verde Islands, Midnight we had made it as far as 27:16.48N 17:43.94W

The Islands themselves are 800 Knt Miles away pretty much on the dot. And about 270 Knt Mile from the African Mainland. We are hoping to sail at 5Knt’s/hour which should take us 7 Days but lets wait and see.

We got an early start after deciding to stop in for another night for some much needed rest. We thought it would help getting us into the whole routine of things all the more easier. It did I guess the only problem for me however is that the winds were very light. This is one of those times I am not good to be around, that and having to run the engine.  Being the stubborn man I am I never gave into the temptation to run the engine even if we were only sailing a walking pace. After all that is what it is all about is it not?

It did not take long for the 2 of us to sit back and enjoy the ride once we pulled away from the islands and the wind patterns began to take the predicted shape we were expecting. We had started to sail. The weirdest thing though was that the swell was so confused for the first 40 Miles out that you did not know what to expect. I mean it had no idea which way it wanted to go. This made for a little uncomfortable ride but we sort of expected it after being warned by our fellow Aussie mate Colin on Maya III who was a week and a half in front of us.

To be honest in my dreams I have imagined sailing conditions like the ones we experienced throughout the first day and a bit. Lovely sea state and light winds on the beam while cruising at a rate of knots, fantastic. I think I have my mother to owe for this as she has been pestering her local pastier to pray for Silky, Fi and I.  Mmmm….

Special comments by Fiona:   An excellent first day to begin our first leg of the crossing.  You couldn’t have wished for better conditions, ok well maybe more wind but I wasn’t that fussed.  It was a nice change to kick back and enjoy the ride rather than worry about the next strong gust that was to strike and send things flying in the cabin.

As night fell though, my usual apprehension and fears came flooding in and I felt a little vulnerable and frightened as we slid into darkness.  It took a few hours to adjust to the dark ocean and once again I prayed for daylight.  Not sure if I’ll ever like or get used to night sailing.  As I’ve said before it’s the ocean life and unknown creatures lurking beneath us that scare me!

Day 121

Traveling Direction – South, South West

Wind Direction – East

Swell – Slight

Average Speed –  3.5 kts, Slowly does it

Top Speed – 6.9 Knots Through the water

Total distance – 54.8 Nautical Miles

Crew     - Fiona (Fearing whales as night fell)