17:01.94N 27:13.31W Atlantic Day 2 January 1st 2016

Zoonie
Fri 1 Jan 2016 11:59
Happy New Year Everyone,
First I must apologise to Kerry and Kirsty at Poole Quay Boat Haven for
muddling up their names when referring to the Atlantic crossing on the Stavvy
back in 2004, it was Kirsty who was aboard.
On Dec 27th I did a big cook, 4 evening meals in separate containers, for
the passage. We have three vacuum packed tortillas which each do two meals so
that gets us a good way along. Also there are various pastas that can be spruced
up with veg and the possibility of the odd fish, if I let Rob out of the cockpit
to set it all up.
We heard drums from the shore and decided to go and look for the source.
Inside what looked like and old courtyard or parade ground we entered through a
little door to find a colourful group of fifty or so youngsters with their two
leaders. They were great to listen to, putting lots of energy into their music.
As we turned to leave we found we were locked in. So we listened to some more
until one of them kindly came and let us out.
After a light Italian supper we returned aboard to watch A Star is Born. We
had seen Love Actually on Christmas Day and The Gangs of New York on Boxing Day.
But now the cinema is closed until further notice!
By now we were mentally ready to set off. We hugged and kissed numerous
fellows sailors including Barry and Wayne and now it was our turn to set out on
what promises to be a roller coaster of a ride at 20 –28 knots of wind from our
stern right hand side. Our Clearance Out document names Captain as Robert Wilte,
we might well do so before we arrive in the Carib.
The hands of fate gave us a reprieve of two days to allow a strong gale to
pass through, I know we might meet them on the way but there’s no need to set
off into the teeth of one, me thinks.
This also gave us time to spend with Chris and Sandra from Deep Blue. We
visited each-others boats and had a meal ashore after showing them around town.
They were looking forward to their stay in Mindelo just as we had enjoyed ours.
Sandra left us with a dozen home-made mince pies which just melt in the mouth
and we are rationing ourselves to one each per day.
New Year’s Eve, Atlantic Day. We had planned to leave around 10.00 and
10.06 was our moment. There was plenty of wind in the channel between the two
islands but it dropped from 30knots to 8knots instantly when we entered the lee
of the big island, so we motored out of it watching the wind direction and speed
indicators until they showed the return of the trades.
The yacht behind us took his sails in when he entered the lee and we
haven’t seen him since but we know at least four German boats are leaving today,
hot on our tail.
At 11.55 last night the DTW (distance to waypoint, Guadeloupe) reading was
2015 miles, the same as the year. Five minutes later the year became 2016 and
the DTW 2014 miles.
The early hours brought along teenage winds, 13 – 19 knots but as the sun
rose so did the wind and we are back into the twenties. At 07.23 the DTW was
1965, the year I became a teenager when Rob was 7!
We find it best to sit on the high side of the cockpit at present so we
cannot see the approaching waves. The motion is not too uncomfortable and we
have slept well. Zoonie is single reefed at present and making over 6 knots. Our
first 24 hours should give us 130 odd miles in exactly the right
direction.
Have a good day. |