02:37:6S 094:37:9W

 

Friday 17th April 2015

 

A Landmark

On 14th April 2015 at approx. 1800 Wandering Dream had sailed a quarter of the way around the world. The other three quarters may be a little faster as we keep pace with the schedule to avoid the hurricane season during the circumnavigation.

 

Black Tie Dinner

Ken asked if we were dressing for dinner as he had prepared a dessert. We told him that we would, if he had a printed menu. Five minutes later Ken had produced a hand printed menu. Both David and I had to use the black sail ties as neck ties for the entire meal, a little warm, especially with the top button done up!

 

Trade Winds

“Seek and ye shall find” goes the _expression_ from The Great Book. So we sought the wind, heading southward on a bit of a gamble...And we found! Close to twenty four hours of sailing now with good winds. The first good turn came with rain and through the evening we had plenty more as well. There is something very comforting about warm rain carried by a good breeze. It takes a good hur before you begin to feel a slight chill. Had this been the Solent or English Channel, wind, rain and a grey sky take far less time in forcing on the wet weather gear!

 

We saw what we assume to tuna fishermen again last night. They appear to cross and circle the sea in this area, hunting schools of tuna with what must be electronic fish finders. We seem to be fishing in a near empty sea. Years of relentless pursuit of the tuna must have taken its toll. I recall as a child seeing films of tuna boats encountering massive schools, pulling them in by the hundreds, simply using a shiny bare hook. Seeing the lone tuna hunter crisscrossing the sea tells us those former days are gone.

 

Yet, we now sail for the Marquesas, winds in our favour and a boost to the morale. Wandering Dream is back in her element and takes us steadily west. Only 2700 odd miles to go!

 

Miles travelled in the last 24 hours: 112 miles  That’s better than yesterday’s 90 miles.