Another great day of progress towards Punta Del Este.
The sightings of sea life have been less today than of late with very few flying fish and no dolphins or whales sighted for a while. Lots of shipping to avoid on the AIS (Automatic Identification System) mainly heading north or south between the Americas.
Whilst gazing at the star-studded sky we have noticed quite a few airliners crossing the South Atlantic, between Africa and South America, jetting off to unknown destinations travelling at 500 knots. Their passengers oblivious to the drama and action 40,000 feet below.
After Simon Rowell’s great tailored wind package giving us great downwind spinnaker sailing yesterday, we seem to have fallen back into the same weather as the other yachts in the fleet. (Simon, please send some more good wind and a crate of Betty Stoggs is yours). So, we are beam reaching under Yankee and Staysail living life at the normal 35 degrees angle of dangle. The effort of climbing up to the high side on deck is normally rewarded with a good soaking. Getting some of our shorter team members in to the top bunks on the high side requires team effort and good timing with lots of rope to keep them in.
Morale onboard is very good as the good-humoured banter continues unabated. Many team members are now allowing thoughts of double beds, copious showers and standing upright without holding on for your life to now creep into their psyche as Punta Del Este draws nearer.
Lot of excitement before our arrival to come. Very shortly we will be back under spinnaker trying to keep it aloft overnight and driving fast during the day. The sewing machine is going to be busy before long!
Cheers, Bob