Merlyn III - Day 15 - Cautious optimism continues

I hardly dare to write this, but we finally seem to be getting what was promised in the brochure! After James’s cautious optimism yesterday, we set main and genoa at 11.30 and began  sailing again. For the rest of the day the wind seemed to steady just east of north; we slipped along very nicely at 7 to 8 knots with a generally overcast sky and a few squalls which stalked us but never seemed to arrive. During the night the wind freshened a bit and we reefed the genoa.

 

This morning we had a steady north-easterly at about 18-25 knots, with a biggish foam-flecked swell running in from our starboard quarter making us roll quite hard. The sun  shone and none of the clouds lasted long. We let out the genoa and took in enough of the main to make sure it filled. By lunchtime we were daring to think that the North-East Trade had finally put in an appearance. It has continued through the afternoon, pushing us along on a broad reach at 8- 9 knots. We have just reefed slightly this evening as it may freshen  during the night.

 

As if this excitement was not enough, we even saw a ship today. A  bulk carrier about 6 miles away heading for Paramaribo in Surinam. But still no whales, dolphins, or mermaids.

 

Nevertheless, morale is such that we feel sure that they will put in an appearance tomorrow. Just under 600 miles to go, so they shouldn’t leave it too late!

 

Jonathan