More questions through the GSC Messaging Facility
Thu Sep 07 2023
Are the winds going to be on your side all the way?
Unfortunately not all the way round, but taking the East about route around
the world you are going with the prevailing winds. After the ITCZ will pick
up the trade winds. Named in the days when traded goods such a spices were
shipped around the world on sailing yachts.
The wind around Cape Verde islands, looks quite strong.
By the time I get down there, about another 3 days, the strong wind should
have tracked to the west or blown itself out, or a bit of both.
Do you see any other traffic on the sea and much wildlife?
The amount of traffic that you see depends on how close you are to a
recognised shipping route or if you are on good fishing grounds. The cargo
vessels are no problem and sometimes will alter course to avoid you. The
fishing boats, well that’s a different ball game. One minute you look and
they are heading away from you. Five minutes later they have turned around
180 deg and have the nets out on the same course but opposite direction.
So far not a lot of sea life, a couple of dolphins, shearwaters and flying
fish. Four dead flying fish on deck this morning, obviously don’t have night
vision as never seams to happen during the day
Thanks Sarah
Cheers Daf
22 46.667n 21 02.663w
Thunder and Lightening
Thu Sep 07 2023
Hints of more challenges “down the road” as clouds containing thunder and
lightening passed in the distance across out bow. Far enough away to not be
disruptive but close enough to us a few extra knots of breeze and a lift. A
lift, is when the wind changes in a favourable direction.
Have aa lovely day Daf
23 21.509n 20 46.501w
Maybe this is going to sound crazy
Thu Sep 07 2023
Just been sitting up on deck, a bit of classical music on and watching
Bendigedig, dancing and skimming across the waves. Now the crazy bit, I
actually believe that she is enjoying being out here. After 15 years, or so,
in Jonathan’s barn, free to enjoy the waves again. I hasten to add that
being in Jonathan’s barn is, in no way, any form of incarceration, just the
best place to be kept, waiting for an adventure such as this. I was very
lucky and grateful that Bendigedig could stay in the barn during the re-fit,
enabling me to work on her right through the winter. I have fond memories of
discussing the days progress in the back of barn, with JPJ, sometimes with
an additional “matey”, but always with the obligatory “booster” Thanks
Jonthan and Barbera
Daf
