39:21.960N 34:33.689W
SV Eleonora
Michael A. Andronov
Sat 16 Jun 2018 00:10
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UTC 2325
2039.1 nm behind... 157.9 to go to Flores
SE... ( Most South East point, 39'21N 031'10W), our mark at the
moment...
Most of the day we were runnig the gennaker. The boat has
been doing happily between 8.3 and 9 kts, as if she is tired of the Ocean and
want to see the land...
At the middle of the day -- UTC 1703 -- we
passed the 2000.0 nm mark... No champagne, no fanfares... We
were too busy, as the wind started to pick up a bit, and we
were sailing a bit overpowered...
Chris's weather forecast has been accurate, and
more we were gaining the North latitude, more wind we were
getting... And then, as predicted, it backed to South...
We are on the beam reach, with full main, gennaker, 10--11 kts of
wind... It was beautifull to watch the power of the boat, nice
speed... But it would be not proper to go into night with all that
power... Especially, since we would need to slow down anyway, at some
point, in order to arrive at the dawn...
So, changing the sails --- the gennaker goes
down, yankee unfurled, the boat set for the night...
Chris Parker confirmed that we should have a steady 11-13
kts of wind all night, and, probably tomorrow... If we managed to
maintain our 6.5 -7 kts speed... we should be at a mark in 24
hours... Right after the sun set! Great... And why am I
not surprised ?! To make the things even more 'interesting'
-- June 17th is holiday on Flores... Have to figure out
what the custom and immigration rules are in such case...
There is always a possibility to continue to Horta... the
wind should start to pick up on Sunday, and should be favourable on Monday, and
Tuesday... So, I have to reach Horta by Tuesday
anyway...
Well, we still have 160 miles to go, we will figure
it out...
The weather is becoming different from what I got
acustomed on Caribbeans... It is still warm during the day, but
there is 4-5 degree difference at night... and the temperature dropping to
24-26 degrees C... Yes, I understand it is still warm... But
somehow, it is felt -- on a 'oool side'... And in early morning -- there is a
dew everywhere...
And I'm getting a strange feeling -- it is not the
last 'different thing' I would have to deal with... ;-)
Am I anxious to see the land? Yes, and no. No
so much to see the land ... I'm more surprised how quick that leg of the passage
has been... Though, it is not over yet, and I have to wait to make any comments.
That is all for now. Everything is fine and in
order.
Talk to you soon,
M.
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