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DreamCatcher - DreamCatcher Leg 2 Saturday 22nd



It's midnight, ship's time, and I have the urge to write. Josh is on deck, keeping the good ship DreamCatcher off the rocks and out of Davy Jones' locker, while I report in to all our family and friends.

Today has been another very good (enjoyable) day, with some good things going on.

Firstly, we passed the first quarter distance, giving us the chance to alter the ship's clock back an hour (we need to 'lose' 3 hours by St Lucia) so we kicked off the process on my and Josh's watch. The other two watches will have their go around the half and three quarters marks. Of course, those on watch have to do an extra hour...while those 'off' get that hour as leisure.

We also celebrated the milestone with a stop for a swim, after lunch. Great fun, horsing around in lovely clean, clear and warm waters over 4000m deep! A chance also to check that the prop was clear of 'stuff', having cleaned the duogen prop earlier.

Finally, Maggie's welcome dinner of curried beef, was accompanied by a can of San Miguel beer! Each! Yay!

As Josh mentioned, the winds have disappointed, but we have still enjoyed some lovely ocean sailing, swells, and tropical weather. The forecast is for better wind strength at 16-20 knots, and we just experienced another 25 degree windshift off the back of a cloud. Fortunately, this had been predicted, so we were prepared.

It's quite spooky, in the night, watching the dark, menacing clouds slowly, but steadily, obliterate the stars to stalk and approach. You hope for some 'good' wind, and fear the unexpected wind sheer that wraps Pandora around herself as if in some straitjacket.
Meanwhile, it's reassuring and rather heartwarming to see familiar names on the chartplotter as fellow ARC Plus-ers tack and gybe their way around us, and their AIS signals are picked up by DreamCatcher's systems.
We are definitely, not alone. Safe sailing, fellow seafarers, everyone.
Meanwhile, you guys are never far from our thoughts.(Especially Mums and Dads) Sleep tight.
Martin

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