Plan + 24Hrs: continue heading south west to stronger trade winds.

 

Arrival before Christmas is now looking ever more promising!  Following along the Chistmas theme, we are now 'goose-winging' our way west.  Our average speed is 6 to 7 knots.  This is a great relief to us, and lifted spirits after a very stagnant and sweaty day yesterday.  The waves are bigger, the swell from the north west is still large and it feels like we are pelting along and making good progress.

 

The wind is apparently not a true trade wind as this will probably get disturbed by another period of low winds by the end of the week on this latitude - the real trade winds are apparently futher south so we are bearing south and west. 

 

Today we saw enormous swarms (or shoals?) of flying fish - but none of them flew onto the boat this time.  The only other wildlife seen on the boat today is probably growing in one of the sprouting beards (Alex is not taking part in this competition).

 

At lunchtime we had a treat of freshly baked ciabatta with perfectly ripened tomatoes.  The bread was baked by Will and served up by Ross.  We even had custard for pudding this evening - oh the simple pleasures.  Our sailing culinery skills are improving - we have worked out that the right balance of sea water to fresh water for coooking pasta and rice is definitely not half and half and should be only a third sea water.  However, cooking in the galley means swaeting out that much salt times over anyway.  We have to be very careful with our water consumption, as we have been all along, due to our days of lulling in no wind meaning a longer passage.  This means washing in fresh water and clean knickers are a luxury we can't remember now!  We are thankful for baby wipes and getting very used to not showering.

 

Yours sweatily,