Boat speed maintained overnight with consistent 20 kt winds. Squalls passed us by so no course changing required in the middle of the night. Salmon and cous cous with green beans for supper – that looks like the closest we’re going to get to fresh fish for the foreseeable future as the trawling activities have been curtailed in recent days due to the wind.
Grey and very windy this morning – all a bit rock and roll on Boni Venti. We were under the impression that these tropical squalls passed through quickly leaving bright sunshine and blue skies in their wake, but that’s definitely not the case! We had gusts over 40kts and boat speed of 12+ kts and pouring rain this morning, coming down in stair-rods. Half the crew retired to the saloon and the other half braved the cockpit and the rain. Foul weather gear out in force – but at least it’s warm, with the sea temperature at 27.4 degs, like a warm bath.
For the first time in several days we have ARC boats for company showing up on the AIS (anti-collision warning) system. The elegantly named German boat Peter von Seestermuhe is 11 miles astern and the 45 ft catamaran Femke from Canada is 10 miles south of us. Hopefully they were both able to avoid this morning’s squall. Boni Venti is currently making 7.2 kts in heavy swell 5 miles off the rhumb line to St Lucia.
In honour of these squalls, today’s photo is of one of them brewing off our port bow yesterday afternoon.
Happy Sunday afternoon to all of our readers!
Jonathan.
2737B1A590E74546922575D2F7867F78