Tuesday morning and the last two days have seen the crew of Second Wind in Meteorology Class, reading grib forecasts of high and low pressure systems and wind predictions across the Atlantic, and using junior Geometry to make tactical decisions about our course and direction to minimise the effect of a persistent headwind from the Southwest. Second Wind is a dream to sail off wind, but the trade off is that she is not so good pointing at the wind, and that’s where we need to go, so we are motor sailing as quickly East as we can, hoping to catch the easterly trade winds soon. We will have to start sailing again soon, as it’s not possible to carry enough diesel to motor all the way to Tortola, and the question is when to use fuel, and when to use sails. And stay East! We all agree that this trip is a great education.
Meanwhile on board, Hope has baked bread, and we caught another fish, species unidentified, so we had a biblical meal last night, though without the water turning to wine. We also treated ourselves to ice cream with nuts and chocolate sauce with lunch, so times are not too tough.
But the first signs of rationing are already starting. We are running out of tea bags!!!! The ship’s purser has restricted the supply to 10 per day. I sense mutiny…….
1 Comment
Roger and Gay
I sense your frustration. The easterly trades still have an element of south in them. You seem to be doing better than the stragglers behind you, at least your course down tHe middle is taking you closer and you are holding your own in the middle of the pack. Sorry about the tea bags guess you should tie the purser to the mast for a day.