Cara of the South - Free at Last!

28:07.70N 15:25.60W Midday Position Day1
After 2 weeks hanging round Las Palmas Marina, always finding yet another
job to do we finally set sail at midday. However before setting sail we need
to get Cara out of the marina which unfortunately means reversing her, this
is not an easy thing to do with a heavy displacement long keel boat. You see
with these boats engaging reverse is basically a random direction generator,
you never know where she will go, much like giving a monkey a hand grenade.
You don't know what's going to happen but you know it will likely end bad,
especially for the monkey. So reluctantly I engaged reverse, other nearby
boat owners clutched fenders worridly with looks of fear, concern and please
don't come over here but after a 72 point turn and no damage done I could
set her forwards on course from the marina - hoorah!

We got a good start off the line which is pretty unusual for me as I
normally hang back but with such a long line there was to be no trouble. The
wind was fair but a headwind which soon died to nothing and the engine was
used to motor for a few miles when the wind came back much stronger. Engine
off sails up and we're off again romping along at 6 and 7 knots. This kept
up for many hours and we were still with the pack, again unusual as the last
time out I was right at the back with no sight of the other boats. Cara is
certainly not as sluggish as I thought. Celestial navigation starts today.
The Chronometer is wound, the walker log out and I'm just waiting for the
sun to reach 135 degrees and i'll do my morning sight.

Its 8am now as I write this and the engine is once again on. Winds are force
1-2 and not worth even trying to sail. This is why we bought extra fuel and
we intend to use it to get to the wind.

Onwards!!