Splashing Surprises 43:52.0N 16:48.4W 728 miles to go

Ellatrout3
Mon 11 Aug 2014 13:38
Position at noon Monday 11th 2014
 
While the sun continued to shine Sunday afternoon the wind became light.  In a smooth sea we could have continued to sail but the sea was still very disturbed and slopped us about so much we could not keep the wind in the sails and had to take them down. Then followed a crew committee meeting to dis cuss the fuel situation.
 
We set off with 75 litres of fuel; we estimated we had used 8 litres charging batteries so far and had used a further 12 litres in our dash south leaving about 55 litres.  We knew there was wind to the north of us so should we sit rolling about in the sea  and wait for the wind, there was little to the west of us, or use more fuel to gain northing ? It was 1315 hours and we decided to motor for 5 hours using another 9 litres.
 
We were glad we did, even though progress in the lumpy was slow, because 2 hours later, Sarah who was helming at the time saw waves splashing as if on rocks up ahead.  This was not possible when the depth here is 4500 metres.   It was a  large whale crossing our path and came close briefly before continuing on it's way.  It was a bit longer than than ET (she's 29 feet), not as big as the finn whales we've seen and browny grey in colour.  Any suggestions as to what it might have been?
 
Just as our 5 hours was running out the wind filled in from the NW.  The ever changing wind had us up most of the night  progressing from the NW to the SE we have this morning.  It was a beautiful night with a full moon so we didn't mind getting up, the sea was much calmer and we careened sedately  along on the moonlit surface; very pleasent!  Unfortunately with the SEastly came the rain, but we are making good progress hoping to do btter than the last 24 hours 96 miles
 
Love Patch,Sarah and Poppa/Dad/Roger