Starting the climb

Day 3 of the return trip.

Following the update yesterday,  the conditions turned into something beautiful. The wind was still upwind, but it increased and settled in a way which was comfortable and manageable. We are currently sitting quite well north of where we began, in an attempt to escape a big low pressure developing below Rio de la Plata.

The sun came out to play for a little while, not only facilitating the drying of some clothes, but a lunch-time braai as well. After lunch, we were shocked when Raf suddenly told us that he was going to start taking off his clothes (forgetting to mention that he was talking about the clothes on the line).

We have had our first conflict on the boat. During the night-watches, one of Ricardo’s sandwiches went missing. All kinds of fingers have been pointed and accusations have been made. We all seem to think that it’s justified, seeing as Ric NEVER does dishes. Not once this trip!

We had our first cup of 5 Roses tea in ages (thank you, Goldy). And shortly thereafter were joined by a whale. Raf and Dave think it was a Fin Whale.

People also got very excited about some seals frolicking about the boat.

The breeze has increased as predicted, and will hopefully swing to the north soon. We have had enough of upwind for now.”

On a different not,

If you have any messages for the crew, or news from home, please forward to me, and I will get the message off to them. They have very limited band width, so we find it most effective to consolidate all the messages. (Don’t be lazy about this, even a short light hearted message each day is great to hear!)

And of course feel free to call me if you are worried about anything. (For example, I believe that the smell of diesel is emanating from one of the breather screws on the tanks that has not been closed properly – and I will tell them that today. To get into the laserette (the boot at the back of the boat) in a sea that is “Very lumpy and roly” is not the nicest thing to do, but with diesel smell, a little diesel goes a long way.

Have a good day.

Michael