Jeu D' Esprit - Log 5 - All at sea

Day 5 and we are making good progress.

We appear to have lost the ability to send e-mails and suspect that there is an issue with the skyfile account, we can receive them fine. So, it may be several days before this log gets posted.

Currently, we are heading 240 degrees and have set up a goosewinged rig, making 7kts boat speed out of 15kts wind. Rolling a bit, mind... but an excellent course for Saint Lucia none the less.

Our Spinnaker is now repaired and ready to go but we have elected to run goosewinged as it requires less trimming and is marginally safer for the kids on deck.

Today has been washing and laundery day. A lot of clothing and bedding has been given a good scrub and is currently adding to our overall sail area. Crew are all fragrantly enhanced and clean - till the next time.

We have been making water and have full tanks of fresh, the earlier generator problems now fully resolved.

The banal chatter on VHF 16 is now a distant memory as we head further out into the Atlantic and away from the Cape Verde's. However, we are now more isolated from 'civilisation', last nights watch reported 1 sighting of a yacht (nav lights all present and correct!). We were also checked out by an aircraft at high ish altitude, flying in a pattern over the sea area and circling over head before flying further west. We assume it was military or coastguard.

Flying fish continue to cause excitement amongst the smaller crew members and if zooplankton are sea fairies... flying fish are sea dragonflies!

We caught 1 fish, but it fell of the line just before we could land it... it was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big, honest!

Meals, we had a breakfast high this morning with spam fritters, eggs and bread - wonderful. Lunch has been a salad of sweet onion, chickpeas & haricot with lime & chilli, served with iceberg lettuce and sliced ham. Supper tonight will be grilled steak. Perhaps we should rename Jeu d'Esprit to "Team Gourmet"?

Weather continues to be balmy and all are enjoying sailing the tropics.