13 March 2010
COUNTER CURRENT! These words appear in big bold letters in the left hand side corner of our electronic chart. Last night we had up to one knot of favourable current with us. This morning at 6am the log read 1000nm, one third into this passage. The actual distance through the water was 900nm, giving us 100nm for free! It is wonderful that now into day six we are still sailing along without having had to use the engine. It would be unbelievable if, as on our Atlantic crossing and across the Caribbean Sea we were able to sail all the way to Marquesas. What is going to happen as those capital letters edge closer to our track only time and tide will tell. For the moment we are content, and happy to let Voyageur carry us onwards and westwards.
Flying the flag.....
Our World ARC Rally flag has been pressed into service. Normally we would have taken it down within an hour of crossing the start line more especially in this case as it is such a long leg. We were so absorbed with dealing with the loss of our water supply that it got quite forgotten. However we soon came to realise what a great tool it was in order to read the wind. And so it has remained boldly flying days and nights on end. Now showing signs of wear and tear there is no doubt that by the time we reach Tahiti it will be reduced to a mere handkerchief, but it will have served its purpose well. In addition to flying the flag for WARC it has helped keep Voyageur to the wind....
Dreamcatcher stays with us and we with them. It is quite extraordinary that now into our fifth day on this great ocean we have always been within sight of another boat. On our Atlantic crossing along with over 220 others we were alone by our second night at sea. There are just 26 of us out here and yet many boats still remain in visual contact with each other. It has been very comforting to see Dreamcatcher's starboard light off to port. The ocean can be a very lonely place at times. Thank goodness also for our daily chats with Marie and Charles, so unsuccessful have we been in raising anyone on the SSB net. The fact is we are too British! We do everything by the book. Now we have been reduced to sending messages by email. Ah! Isn't technology just wonderful.....
Susan Mackay