We are currently in position 44 22N 008 16W, sailing at 4 knots on a course of 190M. The wind is 6-10 knots from the ESE. There's very little cloud and the sun is shining. The air temperature is 13C and the water 14C. Sounds very similar to yesterday, but between reports we've had a great sail.
Morning Sun
By 1600 yesterday the wind had increased to 10 knots and the WindPilot (Kazi) was put into action. No more grinding of autopilot (Kami) drive gears - nice. Kazi performed brilliantly on the beam reach we had all night. This morning the wind fell below 10 knots and it was back to Kami.
At 1730 yesterday we were visited by a pod of dolphins. I saw them speeding across our bow 1/4 mile away, leaping from the water, obviously on a mission of importance. I reckon one of them tallied us and they disappeared from view. Two minutes later they speared in from our quarter doing underwater aileron rolls before leaping from the water beside us. Just what you'd expect from a squadron of interceptors.
Interceptor Dolphins
The dolphins stayed with us for 10 minutes, showing off around our bow and along each side. It's always wonerful seeing these beautiful creatures. Especially so when there are adults and young together - all obviously having a great time.
Overnight the new easterly gradually increased, with gusts reaching the low 20s. Zen Again loved it with two furls in the yankee and full (first reef size) main. She was truckin' along. The stronger gusts were under drizzling clouds but between them we had a beautiful stary sky with a brightly haloed moon for much of it.
This morning the wind has been steadily dying. The latest GRIBs show a wind hole along the Spanish north coast so we expect to be motoring later today. We hope to get in to A Coruna tomorrow morning.
Trust all's well where you are!
No comments:
Post a Comment