Day Five, like Day Four, has passed without incident. That’s now two issue free days in a row. Like Day Four it has also been absolutely perfect.
From dawn to dusk to dawn the North East Trade Winds have blown consistently between 024 and 045 degrees at around 15 to 20 knots. We are creaming along downwind on 220 degrees, running just east of our rhumb line. We covered 150.2 nm, averaging 6.3 knots. Slightly more than Day Four as there was a bit more wind. Occasionally we put in two reefs, and then shake them out later. Otherwise the boat manages herself, on auto pilot, quite happily, and very purposefully. She ploughs on, up and over and down the gentle waves, in the moderate seas, in such a no fuss manner that it is all rather serene.
We went from latitude 21 to 19 on Day Five and it is definitely getting warmer as we get further south, particularly over night. For the first time in our lives we are sailing with some hatches open as it was getting stuffy down below. There has been some cloud today, but the sea remains this beautiful and incredible azure blue that we have experienced since leaving mainland Spain.
I absolutely adore this trade wind sailing. David is extolling the virtues of the twin pole and headsail rig even more strongly now. Along with the boat we are three very happy bunnies.
We are well settled into boat life and routines. The three hour watches are working well over night; the pilot berth offering a truly welcoming cocoon. We are now tired at night, but both stay up together from late morning to after supper, feeling fine. Breakfast is on the hoof, but we sit down together for a proper lunch and evening meal. We need to - we have made only a minute inroad into all of the provisions on board! David has been doing lots of reading and I have managed to get a variety of other bits and pieces done.
All is well on the good ship Frances Louise V. Being double handed is completely manageable, and very enjoyable.