29:57.02N 13:49.37W
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Wed 21 Oct 2009 14:02
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Well hello from Tioram
We are nearing the Canaries and hope to be in sometime
tomorrow afternoon/evening. We had some fantastic sailing yesterday morning with
8knots (sog) speed over ground, even quicker through the water. The sea
state built as the day developed from a gentle swell to moderate. The predicted
weather file report was very accurate and the winds steadily
increased.
We set out from Gibraltar on saturday, a day earlier than
originally planned to try to be ahead of some stronger winds coming in with
rain. Th plan thankfully worked as during the night although the winds built to
26 knots for a while---they were on the beam (side of boat at widest point) and
not a head wind which we were a little concerned about.
We were running comfortably with reduced Genoa
(forward sail) and 2 reefs in the mainsail ( large sail reduced in size and
collected down onto the boom). The wind came with rain and we saw a large
squall showing ahead on the radar around 6.30am so we put in a 3rd reef.
We were bombing along great in a moderate sea. Only about
an hour after putting in the 3rd reef the wind died an we had to motor sail.
Interestingly the stronger head winds did come but were approx 100 mies behind
us. Basically best part of a days sailing behind us----a good call by Tony to
start a day earlier.
The many sail adjustments and sea motion left us all
feling a little worse for wear, no sickness but lots nausea--- we are all
recovering today. At !pm today we had our best 24 hour run of 176
NMiles.
We are running now with just a cruising shute in 14 knots
true wind with a steady, slow 5.5knots SOG. We are trying to fish for
supper with a 100metre line trailing behind the boat---long to get the bait out
of the wake.The sunshine is lovely, Janet and Dominic have remarked about the
depth of blue colour of the crystal clear water. The Atlantic swell has kicked
in which takes a while to get used to. Sadly still no dolphins on this
trip--remarkable really.
All enjoying life on board.
Love from
Tina Tony Janet and Dominic
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