18 January 2011
It was such a promising start. For six days we had superb sailing but during the course of the second part of the voyage, the wind gradually died away to almost nothing. Last night at 8pm we were ghosting along at 2.5knots, the wind between five and six knots. Like the rest of the fleet we had firmly resisted the temptation to put the engine on but now the time had come to flick that ignition switch. It had been forced upon us. By morning we had two knots of wind and a calm sea, the surface oily in appearance. On this morning's 9am SSB radio net for the first time many engine hours were broadcast. The anticipation of landfall is every bit as much the pleasure as the sailing and we now just want to get there. The pilot says that on a clear day you can see the island from 70 miles away. With daylight lasting until late into the evening leg time, around 10pm, it means we should see it throughout the night arriving early tomorrow morning.
That gives us three clear days to explore. We are well rested. Because of the benign conditions we have both had sufficient and good quality sleep. We have used more diesel for the generator than for the engine. The watermaker which has run perfectly has kept our tank topped up. Making around 130 litres an hour, it is only necessary to run it every other day. We use about 50 litres a day for showers, washing up and keeping the boat clean, but always keep the tank at near full capacity just in case the watermaker might fail. It is too big a risk to allow the tank to run low. Now that we are approaching the Equator our daily consumption will increase. We have always used tank water for drinking although it is run through a filter. It is a contradiction in terms to think that we are surrounded by so much water yet it is the one single thing that if we did not have enough on board it could spell disaster. I am as paranoid about it as I am about the risk of gas explosion.
Our provisions are holding up well. With supplies on the island being limited but also very expensive we were advised to stock up well, enough to see us all the way to Brazil which will be another two weeks after we leave St Helena. It would also seem unfair to deplete the islanders themselves of their precious stocks. My tomatoes are still in perfect condition, as are bags of apples, oranges, passion fruit, kiwis, lychees, a cabbage, potatoes and onions. All of these things are bought in their non-refridgerated state and keep in the coolest part of the boat. Only our last banana was used today. So we have plenty to get us to Brazil.
We have seen nothing for days and days with Tzigane's sails the last ones to fade from view nine days ago. Lady Ev IV is 100nm ahead of us and Lady Lisa 28nm off to our port. There is a two hundred mile fishing exclusion zone around the island but we have yet to see anything. For that matter there seems to have been a complete lack of sea life on this journey. Even the flying fish have been conspicuous by their absence. I wonder if it is the old familiar story of diminishing fish stocks. Perhaps we will pick up some red over white lights as we close the island. One thing is for sure. The main town, the only town is on the northwest side so we are unlikely to see any land lights at all. I wonder if it is the foreboding place that I have always imagined it to be. Tomorrow we will find out.....
Susan Mackay