Friday, 2 May 2014

Fly Away on My Zephyr


Day 28 of the Return Trip

 

Whew, where to begin? Last you heard from us was that the breeze had arrived and we had just put a reef in the mainsail, and were contemplating changing spinnakers to Florence Kite-in-Gale. We did just that, and what a good call it was.

 

The breeze built steadily into the evening - just as forecast. Ric was tearing up our daily speed record and was having so much fun that we literally had to pry his hands off the tiller so that Dave and I could have a chance to steer before it got dark. From 1400 to 1700 UTC, Ric and Raf were on watch, and from 1700 to 2000 it was Gina and I. And in those 6 hours, we covered over 60 miles. If you extrapolate this, it equates to a

240 mile day.

 

The breeze was up and down through the night, and we finally dropped the spinnaker at 4AM after a particularly eventful broach. Our best 24 hour run thus far now stands at 217 miles.

 

So without meaning to boast, I just want everyone to know that we were SMOKING it last night. But let it never be said that we didn't work for it.

Everyone on the boat is shattered this morning, but the sun has graced us with another day of its presence. So at least we can get things dry.

 

At this rate we'll be in Cape Town in 2 sleeps! (Actually, night watches make it about 8 sleeps for us).

 

That is all that I'm capable of for now.

 

Bren

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