And today it burned bright.
Well you all know by now what the Skipper is like. We had had a
peaceful night. It was warm and the stars shone, there was a banana-like
moon, and Volker pointed out the stars to us. A light sailing
breeze with a calm sea completed the picture. So there we were, poled
out genoa and full main, making five knots or so, with a bit extra from the
current thrown in, for hour after hour. Great; this was just what sailing
in the tropics is meant to be like. But come the dawn, come the skipper,
still nursing his cold and sore throat contracted in Recife. He wants the
Spinnaker up. Soon we are all rushing about like mad things, and before we
know where we are, its there in all its magnificence. Billowing clouds
of white canvas (No, Dacron - Ed) were drawing Cleone along at six and a
half knots or more. It was great, but it could not last. As
predicted, there are showers and squalls about, and after three hours, the sky
became threatening, and we smoothly dowsed the kite before a sharp squall
arrived, forcing us to take in a reef on both the mainsail and the genoa.
But we have proved it works, and many thanks to Cleone's support team who
helped to order, make and deliver the new kite so efficiently.
The skipper cooked yesterday - mince and egg-plant (what that? - Ed).
But the rest of the crew ate it, and they are still (more or less) alive
today. Volker cast a line over the stern early this morning, with no luck
so far. A nice Mahi-mahi has been ordered, and the frying pan is on the
stove awaiting it!
Meanwhile, all is well with us, and very best wishes to you all.
James, Paul and Volker
Yacht Cleone
04o21'S 35o32'W