Muscles develop further as crew learn how to use all the sails.
And the reason is the wind, the lack of it and its fickle nature. Yesterday was a great day for sun-bathing, today is better. But if you're a sailor, that's not necessarily good! And as for the weather fore-casters, who predict these magnificent sailing breezes for us, what can I say? Yesterday afternoon we were blazing away at 7 knots, and by supper time we were ghosting along in almost a flat calm. Tempting as it was, we resisted the lure of the Yanmar, got out our lightest sail, the Ghoster, and found that even poled out in place of the Genoa it would not work. So we tried it as a Spinnaker and success! Initially it gave us 3.5 knots, and as the breeze built to nearly 10 knots, our pace shot up to 5. All went well until about midnight (our time, 4am your time) when Elizabeth's voice demanded attention. So I dragged myself sleepily out of bed, and in what was now a fresh breeze, we brought in the Ghoster successfully, and then as the wind eased back a bit, added the Mizzen Staysail. This worked fine, but progress again slowed. And by breakfast time the wind had veered right round to South by West - and why on earth did that happen when the forecasters said NE? (answers on an e-mail, please, particularly from John Dyer!). So up went the real spinnaker this time, and, having gybed back onto the Port Tack and reaching as close as a spinnaker will, we are making steadyish progress down the Rhumb Line. Originally at 7 knots (excellent for us), since I started writing this piece, progress has slowed to just three and a half knots. So I will close so I can send this off, put the bread in the oven and go up top to try and coax a little more speed out of Cleone.
All well and happy; Norfy puts on the apron and tall white hat this evening whilst Elizabeth nurses her bruises and aching arms and I drink a small beer. Sunshine, wind, lots of passing ships and a healthy and happy crew.
Best wishes from us all,
James, Chris and Elizabeth
Yacht CLEONE
12.36N 72.42W