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Cleone - En Route to Cape Town - Southernmost Point



We've lost the wind, but are making good progress under engine.
 
We kept the spinnaker up, rolling along at seven knots or so, until the breeze freshened in the late afternoon, and a big lurch caused the skipper to lose his nerve.  It's always exciting getting the spinnaker down, particularly when you are short-handed and, as usual, you've left it a bit late.  But Marcel managed it without even dipping a clew into the sea, and soon it was safely inside its bag and we were - still rolling - once more under control.  During the night, the wind gradually eased, and at about four am (0200 UK time) the engine was back on again.  As I write, we are just approaching Cape Agulhas in a flat calm.  In the light of a dull slightly misty early morning, it looks unimprssive.  But this is the southernmost point of Africa, and, arguably, the point at which the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.  It is also the furthest south we have been so far, and so there will be two reasons to celebrate with a beer at lunch time!
 
 Last night was the brightest phosphoresence I have seen.  As the waves broke around her, Cleone was lit by a ghostly green light, and a flashing silver-green wake bubbled behind the propeller.  Spirits are high; we are still on-time for an arrival in Cape Town some time tomorrow.  We will let you know when we get there.
 
All well on board, and best wishes to all

James & Marcel.
Yacht Cleone
34o55'S 020o06'E





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