Exody - Days 380,381: Nibbles on the line

Three times the fishing reel has whirred out and we have run for the gaff and the leather gloves. Twice we have felt a huge weight on the line that then disappeared. Miraculously the original lure is still intact so a pair of(probably too large)fish somewhere have cuts in their lips- and we are thus resigned to more cans!

David has just about recovered from oversunning himself a little a couple of days ago, having read his book theoretically in the shade of the sails! I have finished all six South African crime novels and Marian took time out today from reading and playing the computer at Scrabble to watch Casablanca! David's stuffed butternut squash went down a treat as we eke out the last of the St Helena fruit and veg.

We have seen no ships for four days and this morning we had Starblazer about 30 miles northwest and Ayama about 40 miles south east of us. It was good to chat with Ayama on the VHF a couple nights ago when she was closer.

Today Friday 28th, our ninth at sea, we are making much improved progress with the last two day's runs of 143 and 165 miles. This evening we have just passed the two thirds mark with under 700 miles to go - and so the countdown begins! The trades are forecast to stay at the 13-18 knot, Force 4/5 level so we could be in Salvador by very late Monday 1st. The leaders will make port on Sunday 31st.

Quiet flat seas have given way to a bigger rolling swell. The moon is waning and rising later so the nights are much darker, but by day the sun still shines!

Peter (Skipper)