Monday, 4th October 2010 (Day 8 at Sea)
We passed 2 fishing trawlers during the night, 1,000 miles from the nearest land. It is interesting the amount of sea birds around the place, some look like shearwaters and of course the usual "Boobies" the same bird as the "Gannet" we get at home. Same bird, different name!
We had a much more comfortable night, with the wind speeds ranging in a full cycle from 22knots to 38 knots over a period of 3 to 4 hours. However the seas were not as rough as last night.
09.00hrs Radio call:- Radio net controller for today and tomorrow is Destiny. Our German friends. We have done well against the fleet again over the last 24 hours, with 13 boats now behind us and 6 ahead of us.
Distance traveled .................................1,441 nmiles (including the additional distance of going south)
Distance to Destination..........................972 nmiles
We had a nice email from our previous neighbour in Glounthaune, Co. Cork. Jimmy and Ingrid Murphy. Ingrid being German, Jim passed on greetings from the "Glanmire Rotary Club" (which he is a member). They also sent out some lovely gifts with Kevin Dwyer last January including a "Past Presidents badge". Skipper was one of the founding members of the club and a past President. We have fond memories of being part of that club.
The day has improved greatly. The Surfers have gone home and left behind a beautiful clear day, a pale blue sky and a deep prussian blue sea with just a few scattered white caps here and there. The wind settled down ranging from 24/29 knots, so we rolled out all the sail, still goosewinging along merrily.
20.00hrs We traveled 203 miles in the last 24 hours, keeping our average speed intact. We have sailed 24,858 nm since leaving Ireland last June 2009... (and we used to think a trip of 80 miles to Crookhaven West Cork, was a major undertaking before we left, and going to our favorite place of Canna in Scotland an odd 450 miles away was akin to going to outer space).
Dinner consisted of rolled stuffed chicken, with chicken rolls in puff pastry, roast potatoes (frozen ones, and excellent) plus white cabbage. The cabbage was cooked in bacon water for some extra taste, all in all excellent. During dinner, the crew kept referring to the "Bag of Fear", this turned out to be the Blue Spinnaker, that is funny. They were wondering when the skipper would issue orders "to get out and put up the BAG OF FEAR". Lucky for them, skipper still thinks there is too much wind to risk the spinnaker.
Later we took our turns to do the night watches, 2 hours each at a time.
Watches :- 22.00hrs / 00.00hrs.........................................Aileen
00.oohrs / 02.00hrs..........................................Skipper
02.00hrs / 04.00hrs .........................................Neil
04.oohrs / 06.00hrs..........................................Terry
06.00hrs / 08.00hrs..........................................Aileen
A good looking starry night, that's all for today.
Signed :- Stephen Hyde (Skipper)