Happy Destiny - Eastbound and down

Last night's dinner was Robbie's chicken couscous amandine.Tonight is John's beef stroganoff, followed by poached pears.Yes, we are still on the boat.We gybed the boat at 2am to put the wind on our port side and get back toward the north. The wind has clocked around all day and we are currently sailing just5 degrees north of east.The forecasts called for calm winds today, but we have been able to keep enough way on that we have not needed the motor.No sightings so far today, but we passed a turtle yesterday.That is the only thing we have passed so far on this leg, but we are gearing up for a big stretch run.. read more...

Happy Destiny - Cloudy with a chance of southwesterlies

We are making about 6.5 knots, but being pushed about 15 degrees south of our preferred course.If the weather forecast holds and winds are calm tomorrow we will have to motor and will regain some northerly position that way.We had Ray's culinary invention for dinner yesterday--spaghetti a la pepperoni.The pepperoni was supposed to be for pizza but the stove is not cooperating.Damaged our spinnaker halyard flying the gennaker yesterday, but had a great run with it earlier.---This e-mail was delivered via satellite phone using GMN's XGate software.Please be kind and keep your replies short.. read more...

Happy Destiny - May 25 Beautiful sailing day - blog 25 May

A lovely sail today if you were not in a hurry to get someplace.  We ran under gennaker and main all day, probably averaging about 5.5 knots.  Wind remains on starboardquarter, but a lot lighter than forecast for zone JJ, which we are in southern portion of.  Blue seas, blue skies, what not to like.  Of course there is that pesky cutoff time in Horta.. read more...

Happy Destiny - May 24 Dolphins Playing - blog 24 May

High point of our morning has been a pod of  dolphins playing about the boat.  And a huge whale swimming past us about 20 yards to starboard.  Wind is pushing us alittle southerly.  Flew gennaker yesterday until dusk, but using  genoa today.  We have not used engine for propulsion at all so far.  May need it at end to make cutoff time next Saturday, but a lot of miles to go before then.. read more...

Happy Destiny - May 23 Calm with a chance of whales - blog 23 May

We spent last night becalmed, with genoa furled and main sheeted in.  A bit of a southwesterly breeze rose this morning and we are now making about 4 knots on a courseof 90 degrees.  Attempting to push northerly when winds permit.  High point yesterday was Don's chicken quesadilla dinner made according to his daughter's recipe.  A pod of whales joined us for dinner, swimming off our starboard beam.  A pretty day today,but we'd like a little more wind.. read more...