Cleone should arrive in Salvador today.
All being well, that is. At the moment, we have just under seventy
miles to go, which at six knots is just under twelve hours. And that means
we should arrive at around 2100 GMT. Given the three hour time difference,
we might, just, if we continue to be lucky, possibly, fingers crossed, squeeze
in to Salvador almost in time for the party. But it's no done-deal, so
please remain on your knees, as it were, on our behalf. The downside to
this is the fuel guage - we've kept the motor hammering away throughout, and
fingers straying towards the Stop Button are likely to get a very sharp
rap.
Yesterday the lure was trailing temptingly behind Cleone until the very
last possible moment before the tuna or mahi mahi steaks could have been placed
reverently into the hot, extra-virgin, olive oil. But no luck there;
supper was an ersatz chicken pie. Actually it was no worse for that - with
some of our remaining onions and potatoes it was remarkably tasty.
Throughout the night, the stars glittered, whilst earlier on a crescent,
wzxing moon was flanked by a very bright object not far from it (in stellar
terms) which rose and fell at about the same time. It did not seem like
any planet; the Skipper claimed that it was the International Space Station, and
that this is the brightest object in the night sky at the moment after the Moon
itself. He's anxious for confirmation of this, if any of you can help; the
rest of us think he's talking bollocks. But if he is, it still does not
tell us what this object was - it's no star, and certainly unlike any other of
the planets.
Apart from letting you all know when we arrive, no doubt these daily doses
of drivel will dry up for a few days whilst we get used to being on land
again. Jenni and Shayne will leave us in Salvador to continue their
travels by Other Means, and Mandy departs from Cleone as well. We will
miss all three of them. Having cleaned and replenished Cleone, the rest of
us will make our way, in due course, northwards to Recife, hopefully in company
with friends on the other World ARC yachts. We should arrive there
in time for the Carnival. Paul Wade will join us for the final leg to
the Caribbean. Paul is the redoubtable skipper of Blonde Moment, and
especially for our Skipper, will be a most welcome addition to the
crew.
We will let you know when we arrive. Meanwhile, all is well with us,
and very best wishes to all of you.
James, Graham, Jenni, Shayne and Mandy
Yacht Cleone
13o12'S 37o27'W