14:19.06N 48:02.

 

We wanted some wind and now we’ve got some – 20-25kts from the NE. It arrived at about 11.00 am yesterday morning just as we were sitting around in the cockpit enjoying a late breakfast and wondering whether we might have to break out the scrabble since the engine was pushing us along and Alonso (autopilot) was driving. The scream of fishing reels put paid to that thought and within about 15 minutes the boys had landed two beautiful mahi mahi. Oh what luck to have a boat that catches fish! We had a wonderful feast last night and the rest is in the freezer & fridge. The lines have now come in until we reach St Lucia as we have more than enough to keep us fed for the rest of our trip. Just as well, it’s all a bit tippy sploshy for fishing now.

 

On Saturday we had very little wind but decided we’d give the engine a rest and put up our 1.5 spinnaker. Thank you Sanders Sails in Lymington, another wonderful sail! We flew it all day until the wind died in the late afternoon. It’s the first time we’ve flown a spinnaker on Ghost so it was quite a moment to celebrate ... we did with a gin and tonic at happy hour.

 

We are swooping along with good speed towards St Lucia although it is a bit like (I imagine) living in a washing machine. We are being thrown around with big waves and an even bigger swell – best not to look really! Sleeping is a bit of a challenge, you either have to lie on your back with your shoulder blades sharpened to dig into the mattress to anchor you in one place or, alternatively, lying in the coma recovery position seems to be quite effective.