Amokura - Log Day 3 - Wildlife encounters

Several random wildlife sightings today;
Mark caught a small dorado at sunrise, a beautiful iridescent green, he was a baby though and not more than a few mouthfuls, so back he went to swim another day.

Great excitement later when a splash to starboard alerted us to the arrival of dolphins. We rushed to the bow to watch the sleek grey shapes approaching like mini torpedoes and launching themselves sideways out of the water. They were large dolphins, too, healthy and well-fed. It is always such a joy to see them! They stayed a few minutes then shot away.

Witnessed our first flock (if that's the right collective term) of little flying fish, squadrons of them disturbed by Amokura's bow wave skimming over the waves in a cloud and dodging several birds homing in on the chance of an easy meal. The Atlantic veterans on board told me they often land on the deck and make good eating if you can get to them in time.

Tweaked our downwind rig, unfurled the solent jib and poled it out on the opposite side to the genoa. A veritable cats cradle of ropes were rigged, involving all the crew in their deployment, but it is powering us along beautifully.
We gybed over before sunset (not a quick task to unrig and rerig, easier not attempted in the dark) as we were 30 nm East of our rhum line and wanted to avoid straying into the shipping lane closer to the coast.

Passed the westernmost point of Africa, and also we are over half way to Mindelo now - Amokura is going like a train! Really exhilarating!

More mundanely, a couple of breakages today. The watermaker blew a valve, so no crew showers until we get in unless we manage a repair.
The end of the spinnaker pole dropped out due to rusted rivets but a temporary fix was fashioned.
We're keeping an eye on any lines chafing due to the repetitive motion.

All 4 of us did single watches last night for the first time, which meant a luxurious 9 hrs off duty. I don't get that back home!

Miles logged in last 24 hrs: 188 - a record breaking total!
Average speed: 7.8kts
Max speed 10.1kts (surfing down a wave!)

Signing off for now..
Liz Brigstocke