Hi everyone
At the start of day 5, we are still managing to make good
progress in very light winds, cruising between 3-7 knots. Katharine’s
speed record of 16.2 knots remains unbeaten as we continue to head south off
the coast of Africa to avoid a large area of no wind to our West. We are aiming
to sail through the Cape Verde islands on Saturday before starting to head
across to Saint Lucia. We are hoping to meet up with Dave the pigeon again when
we go through the islands or if not perhaps some other wildlife, such as the
pod of dolphins that joined us on the bow at dawn – amazing! Before
Dave made his departure we suspect he laid an egg (or another present) at the
top of the mast in the anemometer, perhaps affecting the prevailing winds...
Katharine, Mark and Ingrid are wearing their matching, purple
Spanish t-shirts this morning, picked up for free in Las Palmas – given the
high quality hopefully they will last the next few days before being donated to
the rag pool.
Crew continue to eat VERY well – bacon sandwiches
every morning, chicken fajitas for lunch and beef stew for supper yesterday.
This morning has seen some international diplomacy with Mikhail
demonstrating his passion for the Russian national anthem whilst on the helm. The
remainder of the crew are relaxing on deck or down below – the weather is
getting noticeably warmer as we head south. Latest idea on how to improve the
race is a ‘sail by’ McDonalds – place order at first boat,
pay at second, pick up at third ;-)
Hope weather is not too cold in England!! J