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Timshel - Galapagos to Marquesas Days 1 and 2



Had a great time in Galapagos, all too short as we arrived late and had to get the generator fixed, but I think we managed to tick off our quota of wildlife sightings despite this. We had a great farewell dinner, a lovely meal and very pleasant company. An early start on race day to go in to Immigration for 07.30 and get the passports stamped, it took ages. Then there was the rush to get ready for the start. Despite the gloomy predictions there was wind, though not that much so we sailed over the line in far from last place with all 3 white sails set on a 60 deg reach heading SW. We continued in same vein, but some boats set coloured sails and went off to the W. In the light airs the boats stayed much closer together and the AIS was working unusually well. We motored for a couple of hours when the wind died away, but managed to get sailing again in the early hours. Steve was duty net controller next day. It seemed almost everyone had motored (except TBC) some for a lot longer than us. Several boats encountered the factory fishing ships that we were warned about which are not on AIS and do not have Nav lights - but do have very bright working deck lights, others had close encounters with whales. We sailed very slowly all day making 3 knots over the ground in very little wind - but a favourable current, variously with poled out yankee or Cruising chute. I managed to swat the (hopefully) last Galapagos fly. We saw whales - I think sperm whales as they showed a slanting blow, then a huge pod of dolphins leaping several metres in the air! Eventually had to concede defeat and motor again in a glassy calm early evening. Swallow tail gulls came to feed around the boat. There is a moon, but it sets quite early.


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