27:22.75S 004:42.74E

ratCATcher
Andre and Alison Stroebel
Thu 20 Jan 2011 07:01
Day 5

We have all settled into life at sea well. One day tends to blend into the other. We each have 3 watch's in 24 hours and one tends to feel the start of a new watch is the start of a new day.

None have us have been very dedicated conservationists, no one has fed the fish yet. We have heard some competitors on other yachts have been extremely considerate conservationists and all fed the for the first 3 days. Shame!

"Our" Albatross finally left us and went on her way.

What we are seeing lots of, is small flying fish. Two of them landed on deck so far, but the shock of it is too much and they seem to die instantly not even gasping. Their colors are incredible their backs are a wet satin navy color and their tummies a silver white. They are the size and shape of large sardine, its hard to believe their fine wings can carry them so far in the air.

Our food routine has settled as a help yourself if you feel like it breakfast and then dinner the highlight of the day. Yesterday we have steaks on the braai with coleslaw and baked potatoes washed down by some red wine. Sigh!! Life at sea is tough. :)

Yesterday I baked bread at sea for the first time. With the first loaf I inadvertently murdered the yeast by pouring boiling water on it instead of luke warm. The second loaf was better but once again I over filled the pan and we had an avalanche of bread in the oven, However both were still delicious. Thanks Rouleen for the recipe.

After sailing up the coast in a North Westerly direction for about 700 nm, making use of the Benguela current, we turned for Rio. We are skirting the high pressure area where there are no winds to keep up our speed, hence the long sail north before we turned.

We had some awesome surfing the night before last, Andre on the helm managed to get a speed of 15.4 knots down a wave. I was asleep at the time but can imagine the whoop that accompanied it.

From all aboard. Take care!