We've passed the 2000 mile mark on the log and have started talking eagerly about our arrival in St Lucia (about 670nm to go -- tell the bars to stock up on beer!). But yesterday and today we are still enjoying the best sailing and life at sea.. lunch yesterday was followed by a lovely cake and custard, with enough left over for after dinner too.. the swells are amazing, and we're surfing them like pros, everyone of us.. yesterday we had the best dolphin show yet, 4 or 5 of them stayed with us half an hour, jumping in front of the bow, surfing the waves with us, then heading astern before coming round for more. And we had a little company for a change the last 24 hours, sailing yacht Antares has been cruising alongside us a couple hundred metres apart, since yesterday evening.. skipper Sophie radioed them late last night spotting a closing CPA. Establishing they were under sail she expressed that due to an incident with an out of control Italian boat she said 'I'd like to ascertain that a)you are not Italian and b) that you know what you are doing'. After much laughter from Antares a jolly chat ensued with the gentlemen from Cornwall.
Today we woke up to less sunshine, the puffy clouds had grown in density and darkness and we spent it mostly battling squalls and bigger waves- 28.5 kts true wind recorded and once again Lesley stepped on her acceleration button releasing rocket fuel she sped us off at 12.5kts SOG! Hurrah! Go Go Hot Stuff!
Just before dusk we noticed Antares with a closing CPA again! - after a quick call it turns out their jib had blown in one of the squalls we were caught in and he was busy reigning it in on the foredeck - only a few hundred metres apart we offered assistance should he need it.
He kindly called back to thank us for the offer but their rigging was ok however they were going to have to go mainsail only - another jolly chat ensued with the rather lovely cornish gentlemen and they offered us ladies rum punches in Bequaia over Christmas! Which just so happens to be Hot Stuffs next port of destination after the Arc! Lovely!
Oops oilys on as another squall is rapidly approaching....