We think that the Metrologists advice (Chris Tibbs)  in Las Palmas was probably wrong - most of the ARC 2008 Fleet headed south along the Rhumb line to Cape Verdes and then turned west  - as indeed did we. However we have all fallen into small low pressure holes where there is little wind and it is very hot and humid. In the days of Square Riggers this off course was a very sensible route to follow because it was straight forward to navigate  - simply follow the Canary current south - identify the Cape Verdes then stay on the same Latitude until you reach a Caribbean Island. The idea of following a diagonal Rhumb line between Canary and Caribbean was far too challenging, because before Harrisons Clock  (H1)* no one could reliably fix Longitude - But they could follow it - ie due West  (or due East).

Modern sailing yachts with GPS (or clocks and Sextants) of course do not have this problem. - and nowadays most ARC Contestants would follow the quickest route - which is normally the shortest - unless the weather says "Go south it is faster". as in 2008! As mentioned earlier we now think those yachts that took the direct and shorter route are probably now in a more favoured position? Time will tell - but what a fickle and unpredictable thing the weather is.

As for Matchmaker we had a normal day at sea. The wind was variable but we got some good cruising Chute sailing in the afternoon  - we poled out through the night and we averaged about 7 knots for most of the early morning.

The days run was 159 miles.

At 18.30 GMT we had our "Half Way Party" - Simon prepared canopes - Stuffed olives - Devilled Eggs - Stuffed Tomatoes with Brown rice and Tuna (still tinned I am ashamed to say!). We all enjoyed a bottle of fizz - first alcohol for 11 days! (and Peter lost the second bucket over the side) - "Just slipped out of my hands" he said.