Fish, fish and still more fish......
19 45.6N 20 06.1W
24/11/10 20
41N18 48W
Wednesday Day 4, my dawn watch
with Atlanta and a rattling fishing line indicated our first bite I attempted to
pull it in only to realise it was something big, Atlanta fetched Jody and the
two of us hauled in the straining line to reveal a swordfish about 1.5m long.
How to bring this beast aboard the boat presented a challenge and Ashley had by
now appeared. Gin in the mouth calmed him for a short time and as Jody gave one
last heave to bring him into the cockpit he struggled and came free. With
hind-site this was a blessing, I don’t know what we would have done with such a
large fish, even if he hadn’t injured us or the boat we would never have been
able to eat all those steaks! Very exciting though and the beginning of yet
another idyllic day. The sky was completely clear today and the sea flattened
off as we lost wind during the morning We had set the MPS as a traditional
spinnaker after losing the fish but by mid day there was no wind at all. All
sail was taken down and Aston, Atlanta, Jody and I had a mid Atlantic swim.
Ashley was busy re routing a 24V wire for the TV (essential stuff), he really is
a good chap. After swim I broke all promises to myself and turned on the engine.
A rumour had developed within the fleet on the radio regarding a low pressure
system that was going to arrive north of the Cape Verde islands by the weekend
threatening SW winds of 35 knots. Each broadcast the reported wind got stronger and reaching further south
I could see no sign of this from the grib files and synoptic charts downloaded
from ‘mailasail’ twice daily. I did however feel that I we may be able to
‘skirt’ the wind hole and avoid SW winds by heading further south I also thought
that from the chart, some wind at least lay 6 miles to the south and wanted to get that and
ride the N Easterlies down through the Cape Verdes before any change of pattern
arrived. Hence the engine. My
excuse anyway! After cocktails we made actual sushi with the kit I had bought, which turned out well and then eat a marvellous dinner. IT had been an amazing day despite the wind. The only downside was that today somehow the sat phone, which we use for e mails, did not disconnect automatically and I made a 1hour 37 minute call!!!!..ouch £100 mistake!!!
Only 117 miles run today....and will you stop telling me we are last, its depressing me........I know, I know impossible, such a supreme yachtsman in a Swan.. but just be patient..it is all in the big plan!!
Missing you all
Graham |