We have had yet another frustratingly slow day with it being an event when even 3 knots appears on the boats ergometer.

 

We have spent the day sweltering in the 28 degree heat (the water is 25.6c), which, with no wind has made the cabin almost as uncomfortable as the deck. However, as pedicted by the grib files the wind has now nicely filled in from the south east, 11 kts and is powering us along at a steady 6 kts. The morning was spent sewing a patch on our No 1 Genoa, which had been rubbing on the guard rail. The afternoon was spent listening to the radio schedule (Ross controller again), and making numerous sail changes.

 

The trade winds are still yet to properly set in this year (if anyone can explain this we would be interested to know why (Uncle Robert)) however there is much talk on the radio net of it being one of the slowest ARCs ever.  We cannot view the fleet viewer that those at home can see, however each day we get the positions of all the vessels emailed to us. We have been diligently plotting these in excel and seeing where the rest of the fleet are in relation to us. This view has become rather distorted with the amount of motoring that other yachts (not us) have been doing - a number of which are planning on stopping in the Cape Verdes to pick up more fuel.

 

Little Al was on mother duty today and as a result we now have a lovely clean cabin floor - we will see what Big Al can do to the heads (bathroom) floor tomorrow.

 

All still well (if a little hot and sweaty).

 

Ross, Al, Al, Paul & Will