Plan + 24Hrs: Head south west to pick up the trade winds all the way to St Lucia (2,000 NM).

 

After our brief sojourn through the Cape Verdes, we proceeded south into the night and experienced the southern edge of the front associated with the deep low to our north.  Spectacular dark menacing clouds produced crazy changes of both wind direction and strength, and some very heavy rain showers which were not unwelcome -  the warm fresh water was refreshing and washed the decks.  Fortunately the associated lightning was well to the south  but, just in case, antennae were disconnected and the handheld GPS and VHF radio placed in the oven (Faraday cage).  These precautions proved unnecessary and the bread was returned to its rightful place ready for morning baking.

 

The majority of the day was spent bobbing around in virtually zero wind as a ridge of high pressure established itself and we experienced a 3 metre swell generated by storms to our north west.  The opportunity was taken for sea bathing and cleanig Starcrosss' hull.  In late afternon a light breeze appeared from the north west and gradually veered to the north east allowing welcome progress to be made.  We are now heading south-west at 5 knots under spinny and plan to turn slightly right and head for St Lucia once we are confident that we have indeed found the mythical trades.  Many of our colleagues are in the area with some completing pit-stops at the marina on Sao Vincente who must be enjoying their Christmas bonus early!

 

The standard of catering continues to impress with an excellent chocolate pudding completing supper tonight.  Our stock of fresh rations is now low, giving room in the fridge for drink cooling.  Apples, oranges and bananas are surviving well.  

 

Our daily chat with other ARC yachts of many nationalities on the HF radio net has become more entertaining as initial fears of broadcasting to the world are overcome.  Starcross appears to have a particularly good installation (thank you Julian and Rob) and we are able to communicate widely (typically 500 mile radius at present), often relaying messages.  Individual positions and met conditions are reported with time for discussion of routeing alternatives and other passage issues.  We have discovered at least one other similar yacht that does not intend to motor and the race to the finish is on.  There are quizzes, eg we sponsored one on Thanksgiving Day (thanks Liz); fishing competitions - we are not doing too well; and sugggestions for appropriate tunes, eg Stuck in the middle with you (Stealers Wheel), Don't go west when you should be heading south (Seasick Steve), The big calm (Morcheeba), Still haven't found what I  am looking for (U2), Always look on the bright side of life (Monty Python).  A great spirit of camaraderie prevails and we look forward to meeting up with our correspondents on the pontoon at St Lucia.

 

Hopefully we are now able to head for St Lucia on a more direct track, confident of favourable winds and arriving before Christmas.

 

Ross, Al, Al, Paul, Will