ARC Day 5

Starcross Fair Log
Ross Wilson
Thu 25 Nov 2010 20:55
Thursday 25/11/10
Midday position 20:33.7N 19:21.6W
Noon - noon run: 131 NM
Plan + 24Hrs: to head for north of Cape Verde Islands, 340 NM
 
Now that we have let the African coast behind, the AIS transmitter has been switched back on.  However, to reduce power consumption at slow speed, we have turned off many systems.  This also provides the copious power required to allow Ross to continue as unexpected anchor man for the ARC Group A HF radio net.  We have continued on a fetch with a COG of 250M, the apparent wind of 6 - 10 knots being sufficient to keep Starcross moving.  A couple of periods of light wind slowed our pace a bit, as we have a self-enforced target of no motoring for the ARC, but other things kept us entertained during the quieter bits. 
 
Having lost our first (unnamed) fishing lure to a denizen of the deep, we deployed the trusty 'Pulpo' (Spanish for squid we think) with great expectations.  Alas, he shall not be forgottenPaul spent much of his mother watch painstakingly crafting 'Ham-ish' from an empty ham packet.  He is still with us, but as yet no fish have graced our decks. Score so far, Fish 2 Starcross nil, ARC competition -40.
 
As well as some great dolphin sightings today, we passed a pod of twenty-odd whales, and later a shark drifted by and eyed us up (no swimming today!).
 
Today was Thanksgiving for all the Americans out there, but as we have none aboard, we fnished the day with a more suitable national meal.  Ross cooked up a storm in the galley and produced an epic feast for the crew -haggis and mash, carrots and cauliflower cheese .
 
We are into our night watches now.  Moonrise is getting later, and with the moon waning, we hope for some good stars later on.
 
All the best from Starcross and crew in our second day in the tropics (we crossed the Tropic of Cancer yesterday), looking for the Trade Winds.
 
Ross, Al, Al, Paul, Will