Day 8 started with some reasonable wind and decent sailing in the wee small hours and early morning, which was a welcome relief after the lack of progress yesterday. 

The chief excitement during the night watches was Alex catching a flying fish that hurled itself into her arms while she helmed the yacht.

 

Due to the current lack of wind being experienced over a wide area, the discussion on the radio net has suggested that this may well become the longest ARC to date. Even the weather gurus do not seem to have a handle on the situation. 

 

Taking advantage of the working conditions offered by flat seas and no wind (every cloud has a silver lining), numerous jobs and maintenance tasks were performed, including the fitting of a much needed fan in the main cabin. Today being the start of Week 2 meant the opening of a new bag of gooddies to be anticipated and enjoyed on watch over the next week.

 

Later in the day it was a relief to see land for the first time since Gran Canaria slipped over the horizon behind us nearly a week ago. Unfortunately it was the Cape Verde Islands on the wrong side of the Atlantic to the Caribbean, still a long distance and time ahead of us.

We are now moving very slowly to slip through the islands, almost becalmed with a long, hot, humid night ahead of us. It is going to be frustrating at times, but we will get through it!

 

Yours, bobbing about off the Cape Verdes,

 

Ross, Al, Al, Paul, Will