Antigua Inbound Day 4

Hi everyone,
At noon today we are at 12 20N 042 54W sailing at 6 knots on a broad reach under single-reefed main and single-furled yankee.  The wind is E 14G18.  The seas are 1m with a short 1.5m E swell. The air temperature is 27C, water 27C and above are scattered mid-size cumulus. Our noon to noon daily run was 106nm.  We have 1131nm to go.

Weed!

Yesterday afternoon was champagne sailing - consistent breeze, slight seas and a sunny sky.  We worked on our tans while Kazi the WindPilot looked after the boat.  The only issue was the weed which prevented us using Gen the SailingGen hydrogenerator.  We're still surrounded by weed this morning.

Later in the afternoon a large band of high stratus cloud came over us from the south.  Happily it disippated after a few hours.  Overnight we enjoyed a moonless half-night with wonderful starscape, then a half-night with bright half-moon illuminating our surroundings.  Winds were lighter overnight with our speed falling below 4 knots at times.  They filled in after dawn.

The SSB sked included Lady of Lorien, Emma and Maya, all of whom are a long way west of us.  We handed over sked leadership to Lady of Lorien since they're in the middle of the group geographically.  Assisting Swedish sv Emma with their Iridium Go! problem has become a comedy of errors.

Today we've heard from sv Tuuletar who arrived in Barbados last week.  They described Bridgetown and the clearing-in process.  We also received informatoin on Martinique and Bonaire from sv Blue Heeler.  Sharing of this information is very helpful, particularly during Covid times when procedures are dynamic.

This morning Nic is baking pizza bread and bread rolls.  Smells wonderful.  Outside the wind is holding in.  We're hoping our big zig SW will keep us 'out of the blue' - blue being the colour of no wind on most wind GRIB displays.  We hope to gybe later today to head for our destination.  That'll be a 'milestone'.

Trust all's well where you are!