Huzzah - we're in the Trades!
At noon today we are at 18 29N 029 58W sailing at 5 knots on a broad reach under single-reefed main and single-furled yankee. The wind is NE 10G14. The seas are 1m with a long 2m N swell. The air temperature is 23C, water 25C and above are few small Cu. Our noon to noon daily run was 102nm. We have 1819nm to go.
Moon risen last night
Yesterday afternoon at 1530 the engine finally was given a rest. It had been running for 22 hours in mostly windless conditions with the sea 'glassed out'. At 1530 we set single-furled main and single-furled yankee in an 8G11 NE wind - the trades had arrived! The spooky thing was a tropic bird circled overhead for 10 minutes before we shutdown the engine. I think he was saying 'welcome to the tropics - and stop that noise'.
Having finally reached the trades and the 200nm to go mark we declared a 'milestone' and had our first drinks of the passage. Rum for the skipper, Gin for the Admiral. We played Handel's 'Hallelujah' which seemed to fit both occasion and time of year.
The sunset and moonrise were spectacular. As the photo shows we had a 'stairway to the moon'. The night was a quiet sail with the wind staying light. But the clouds had moved on leaving only a few small puffy cumulus clouds. Only bright stars and planets visible in the practically full moon. Twas a magical night.
This morning we treated ourselves to a Sunday fry-up - bacon and eggs. Marvellous. Only freshly baked bread comes close to the smell of frying bacon, and Nic's baking bread rolls right now.
Trust all's well where you are!
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