Log Day 8: Another day,another longitude - by Alan
Pipistrelle - where are we now?
Bob and Elaine Hazell
Mon 30 Nov 2009 19:18
19:47.23N 35:40.00W
This is awesome, guys!
We are barrelling along downwind at 7 to 8 knots in
NE 5/6 tradewinds in the middle of the Atlantic, 1000 miles at least from
the nearest land in any direction. The navigation decision-making re
weather-routing, best sail rig and course-to-steer is fascinating. For the last
few days, we have been tracking a 20°N to 22°N latitude corridor, which the shore-based weather gurus have
been telling us has the best winds. Now, we have decided to start moving further
south to latitudes 17°N to 18°N in
order to retain the best winds over the next few days. The North
Equatorial current of roughly 1/2 a knot also helps us
along.
We receive wind pattern forecasts for our sea
area on demand via email over the satellite phone. They are reassuringly
accurate.
Yesterday, we had an excellent Sunday evening meal
produced by Elaine. Saute potatoes, green beans and roasted chicken breasts
coated in a delicious herb crust plus sausages and gravy. Food supplies are
holding up well. The only things we have run out of so far are apples and fresh
milk. However, ginger nut biscuits have been put on tight
rationing.
The night-time watches are special. The celestial
majesty of the star constellations rotating 'largo andante' across the sky as
the night progresses plus the moonlit 360 degree seascape, combine
to effect a fantastic wonder and serenity.
This morning we picked up an avian hitch-hiker called
Emmett, a pure white Little Egret, who perches precariously on the end of
the boom and eyes the cockpit activity with curious fear. Here is a photo
of him posing for photographers.
Best wishes to all following our progress. It's all
wicked!
Hope the weather in the UK improves
Bob, Elaine, Alan,
Paul &
Nick.
BTW, for those of you with codebooks, current AP
status is:
FP
4 BE 8 GG -5
OU 3 CJ -8 ON 2
