Position: 27:09.59N 56:08.83W

Slightly less good progress today as we are now firmly away from the trade winds, attempting to get far enough north to pick up the westerlies.  At about 4pm we finally ran out of wind and the spinnaker came down to be replaced by the rather noisier engine.  We will probably run under engine for 12 hours or until we pick up a decent breeze if that it sooner.  On current ship’s time it gets dark after 9pm and first light is at 6am so the first and last watches are civilised and beautiful.  The phosphorescence stirs idly in the wake behind us and in these clear night skies the stars are strong after the moon sets so there is no shortage of interest when on deck.  We have seen the lights of one other yacht and seen 2 large container ships although a long way in the distance and easily picked up by the AIS.

 

Today’s excitement was the the landing of one fish, a jack, and the losing of a large mahi mahi which jumped off the hook at the transom as it was being landed and took off at a convincing pace.  The jack made its way into a mild Thai fish curry which was consumed with the last of today’s loaf.  The remains of the chocolate cake will disappear in the final watches so doubtless the oven will be in action again in the morning to keep supplies and morale high.  At about 10am Simon and David decided that it was time for music.  Rock music man, loud and cool through until 3.30pm when Stephen asked what we were doing spoiling what was otherwise a perfect afternoon.  So we will resume in the morning but have peace in the afternoons.

 

Weather is sunny and fine with occasional clouds, nice but a little too still.

 

David, Simon and Stephen