It's 3:00 on Wednesday morning - the start of our 5h day at sea. After
an excellent, fast start in which we covered half of the 870Nm to
Bermuda in 2 1/2 days , things have slowed down. We only did 120Nm
yesterday. The gentle easterlies meant that we maintained an acceptable
speed without resorting to the engine (except for an hour or so in the
evening) - but the sailing is extremely comfortable. Most of the fleet
is ahead, Our hope is that they have used their engine more, and will
be penalised in the results. We're flying the newly-repaired Stingrray
as a Code ) on port side and it sets beautifully on a beam reach with no
vices.
Life on board has settled into an established rhythm - we do the same
watches each day. I (skipper) am on 2-4am, 9-noon and 6-9pm. On this
night watch I get the benefit of the huge full moon - there hasn't
really been a properly dark hour yet on this passage.
The yoghurt is brewing ovrenight, and I'll need to knead some more bread
in the morning watch. The first loaf was good, but perhaps not my best
- needed longer on the hob
300Nm to Bermuda. Eta sometime on Friday.