Off to St Helena

SY Ghost
Tim and Clare Hagon
Wed 14 Jan 2015 10:31
27:05.90S 11:18.10E
 
Table Bay did it’s usual thing by lulling us into thinking there was no wind, so after a brief motor we hit the wind line that screams down from Devil’s Peak and when the initial gale had calmed down we were left with a 25 knot following wind. We have managed to keep the wind up until now although it does die in the mornings, then builds again as the day continues.
 
The water is still cold so warm clothing is required when the sun goes down, but already after 2 days we can feel the temperature start to rise as we head north. The only drama we have had so far has been our autopilot packing up. After 25,000 miles the gyro compass has died, which has left us with having to use our back-up, an inferior set up that does a good impersonation of a drunk weaving his way home after a good night out. However, it is a lot better than having nothing at all and has led us to be a a bit kinder with the sail trim to assist in his stumble home. I hope it can keep us going to Brazil, other wise it’s back to old school sailing and hand steering across the Atlantic.
 
It was deemed warm enough this morning for a spot of fishing, so a line was put out. Half an hour later we had a wonderful 30 lb Albacore tuna on deck which is going to be delicious raw and cooked over the next few days. The only down side was that we had just launched the spinnaker so there were a frantic few minutes while we dealt with that before we could land the fish.
 
The new crew are settling in nicely. We are eating well and having had a good while on the wine in Cape Town we are having a wonderful drying out session.

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