DAY 7 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25

 

position at 2000 gmt:  21deg 13.94 north; 28 deg 44.04 west

 

Approx 850 miles sailed so far

 

 

Tall and proud, Nigel’s new parasail is filled with easterly wind as she flies ahead of Relentless for the first time, reassuringly pulling us towards our distant destination. It’s no exaggeration to say this amazing sail has transformed our journey.

 

It is 18 metres tall and twice as wide as the boat and even when there is only a light wind behind us she pulls us along at 7 knots with ease. Best of all Relentless is rock steady and it’s easy to cook, eat, work, sleep and write the blog.

 

We’re already picking up the more gentle Trade Winds that blow from Africa to the West Indies and we’re almost a third of the way there.

 

Being 150 miles south of the Tropic of Cancer means we’re in shorts virtually from sunrise to sunset and even at night the air is very warm. Below deck it’s like a sauna so some of the more rotund crew members (that’s Chris) are losing a few pounds each day.

 

Chris is really enjoying baking bread and we think he wants a flour duster and a baker’s book for Christmas. Nigel says he’s a master baker.

 

Tomorrow we’ll pass the 1,000 mile mark, quite achievement in just one week. Not seen another vessel or a dolphin for three days, just flying fish and the occasional seagull.

 

Alan says hello to Glenys.