I don't think that Cleone has ever weighed as much, but we're doing over 6.5 knots towards our fist Waypoint.
There is always a buzz amongst the fleet on the day of departure, and a "racing" start makes it even more enjoyable. Whilst stop-overs are interesting and exciting, and none more so than the Galapagos, we are, after all, here to sail the world. So whilst sad to say farewell for the moment to our friends on other yachts, the pleasure of finally leaving the Galapagos was no exception. Sadly three or four yachts were left in the anchorage with technical probles or awaiting essential spares, with poor Basia developing a problem just as she tried to up-anchor. But the rest of us crossed the start-line in style, including Wizard who had finally managed to catch up by sailing direct from Panama.
From a sailor's point of view, the weather forecast was dire, with light winds and heavy rain predicted for much of the first week. Some of this has come true, and Elizabeth and the Skipper got drenched last night by torrential rain whilst taking in a reef. But that we were taking in a reef tells its own story; the wind has developed into a decent sailing breeze, mainly from the South West, backing to South South West or occasionally South for a time. We have therefore described a graceful curve amongst the islands, finally ending up on the Port Tack with the wind just forward of the beam as we run down to our fist Waypoint (thanks, Jimmy Cornell (World Cruising Handbook) and Commander's weather, from whom we are now getting a forecast from every couple of days) at over 6 knots. This speed is pretty good for two reasons. First because we did not expect much wind at this stage, and second because Cleone has never been so full of fuel, food and water. There must be a ton of water, nearly half a ton of fuel and goodness knows how much food, including the essential canned beer. But then this leg could easily take four weeks and you'd be amazed how much sailors need to eat!
So we will have a lot more time to write about it - you will be hearing from us.
James, Chris & Elizabeth
Yacht Cleone
At sea
01.45S 91,42W