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Lydia - Day 2 - The first update



After a good start winds of 20 knots steadily increased to more than 30 knots through the night and created a swell of more than 4m. Lydia took all this in her stride but left the crew less than enthusiastic about the chefs frozen seafood paella dinner.

Opting for the eastern route we headed towards Westerm Sahara overnight. And with the wind calming to about 15 knots by morning the 'swift' rigging of the twin foresail rig was achieved barely two watches later. The mainsail has been furled and the yankee and the newly named hankee are flying superbly carrying us on a swift dead run since.

The morning fleet high frequency (HF) radio check gave us an opportunity to exchange updates with others and to throw down the gauntlet to 'Shira', who's company we had shared overnight, over line honours in the Cape Verdes.

As the morning progressed we were joined by an enthusiastic pod of about 20 dolphins who thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the bow wave for a while before continuing on their way.

Later in the afternoon, after a quick induction into the art from Dick McClarys fishing afloat manual, the boats fisherman {aka Steve the doctor) and his accomplice Henry (aka the engineer & blogmeister) lent their hands to the task of catching dinner but alas didn't receive any bites ..... possibly due to failing to remove the hook covers on the lures!

The consellation prize was 1st Mate & duty (permanent unless he poisons us) latest creation, 'Barrow In Furnace Bus Station Suprise'. This was consumed with gusto despite dinner conversation devoted to how to overcome our present inability to pump out our black water tank. Drawing lots and rubber gloves are in the frame unless other options arrive in our overnight dreams. 

With about 200 miles under our belts and another 600 to go we have the occasional tanker or cargo vessel for company tonight as we make our way steadily SW at about 5 knots. Bright stars overhead & a full moon yet to show itself. We're looking forward to more days like this. Its a hard life but someone's got to do it!



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