Canaries Outbound Day 3

Hi everyone,
At noon today we are at 23 20N 020 19W sailing at 5.5 knots on a broad reach under single-reefed main and double-furled yankee. The wind is NE 13G18. The seas are 1m with a 1.5m swell. The air temperature is 20C, water 22C and we have scattered Cu clouds above. Our noon to noon daily run was 120nm. We have 2469nm to go.

Yesterday afternoon the winds continued to decrease. We increased sail to double-reefed main and single-furled yankee. We were waiting for the wind to back from ENE to NE, at which point we'd gybe onto starboard tack and head WSW.

By midnight the ENE wind had died to 10G14 and we shook out a reef in the main. Of course within a couple of hours the wind changed to the NE and strengthened to 16G21. So at 0200 this morning we gybed, hanging on to the single-reefed main and triple-furled yankee. The new breeze was also a cool change which wasn't welcome!

We've seen little traffic since clearing the Canaries. Two ships passed yesterday and we saw another two AIS-less vessels last night in the distance. That's been about it so far.

Likewise we've seen little wildlife since our dolphin send-off. No birds at all. No flying fish. A single solitary small squid consigned to the deep from the side deck yesterday afternoon.

We spoike with Ruffian and Lady of Lorien on last night's SSB sked. Lady of Lorien continues to ease away from us, now about 400nm ahead. ReVisionII is still about 170nm behind us.

Our batteries are full, the sun's shining and we have a nice sailing breeze. Another good day at the office!

Trust all's well where you are.