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Amokura - Log Day 3 Amokura



5...4...3...2...1  we are In perfect position to clear the yellow, gigantic blow up mark as an armada of yachts on our left block our planned start, they are aligned and racing for the second bobbing marker. To stay on our course  would be the equivalent of crossing the M-5 at rush hour, so our unplanned gybe put us on course with the fleet headed toward the line.  Maneuvering 34 tons of boat in a seaway full of similar beasts rushing around as though they were a bunch of nursery school kids on the playground is a bit of fun and something never to be forgotten.
 
We are the first Discovery 57 to cross a line, she is our first boat and this is also our first time.
 
After the start, the fleet  spread out and the squall we were watching
hit us with 30 kt winds.  We barely felt it. Though someone didn’t play nice with the weather gods, it made  for an exciting start.
As the winds swirled we made 4 sail changes in the first hour;
but, still we are caught in the dead zone and eventually,  becalmed.
There goes one of our goals: No engine hours.
 
Our son Ross has decided to put all this on GoPro.
We may want to request a tiny bit of editing.
 
Since then we are skirting the dead zones,  finding pockets of wind and following our course along a modified Cape Verdes route.
Last night just as the water maker cut out, the sea gods blessed up with dead calm, both sea and wind.  The boat came to a stop, while Richard sorted out the problem.  Just as we were back on line with all the mechanical, the rain stopped and the winds resumed.  We were sailing to windward, with a lovely motion. Ross made gourmet tomato, onion, mushroom, and olive oil sauce for the pasta, and everyone had a really good sleep.
Today we are still sailing to windward and our motion is so steady we feel as though we are moored in the marina with ever so slight of a heal and the sound of the waves. 
 
Ross is teaching himself to be a fisherman, but no luck yet.
 
Our fruit consumption is at an all time high, and our frozen English bacon is still delicious.  Robert made our first loaf of bread in the new
Spanish bread maker- a very successful effort. Richard  had bolted  down the ice maker and it remains firmly in place.  We are settled.
 

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