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Merlyn III - Day 11 - Lack of mermaids



The lamentable loss of our last lure has put paid to any further fishing. Dreams of sashimi, ceviche, tuna steaks, and other fishy delights are at an end. We ate our last seafood in a stew last night and from now on it’s meat and veg.
 
Apart from the unseen, but no doubt huge, fish which got away with the lures, the only creatures we have been aware of  are the flying fish which have whizzed onto our deck during the night. No sign of dolphins, whales, narwhals, or even mermaids. A pity since they would have enjoyed two notable events over the past 24 hours.
 
The first was our ‘halfway’ drinks party yesterday evening– champagne, smoked salmon, and rousing speeches. The other was the raising of our ‘downhill’ rig at 10.30  this morning – poled out genoa and jib. The wind seemed to be steadying, albeit light; but we took it down after five hours because to carry it we were having to head too far south. We are now reaching under genoa and main more or less straight toward St Lucia at 6.5 knots. 
 
From this you will gather that a consistent trade wind has yet to establish itself, and there is still the possibility of calm  patches ahead. One of the other Discoveries in the race asked us slightly cheekily yesterday what we intended to do  when we reached the Equator. We hope to have the last laugh since the chance of doldrums seems to be greater further north. but the situation changes with every Grib file we download.
 
The first of the racers has finished – setting a new ARC record. We seem well-placed, but still have at least nine days to go.
 
Jonathan


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