Land ahoy in the Cape Verdes

Very well earned cooked breakfast on arrival

Position 16:53N 24:59W at anchor

Yippee, we have arrived in the anchorage at Mindelo, the Cape Verde Islands, we have knocked off about a third of our Atlantic Crossing. 

We arrived in the dark, something we are always careful not to do but we have had enugh of being out there and didn't fancy heaving to for 5 of so hours so nudged our way in very carefully and slowly into the inner harbour, following our friends on Bandit's excellent instructions.

More to come soon after a much deserved sleep  PS.... WE ARE FIRST TO ARRIVE!!!!

Its a beautiful day

Running radar repairs at sea

Position at 1345GMT 17:24N 23:55W, around 70 miles to run to Mindelo.

It seems we have finally peaked Everest and have slid down the other side, getting stuck on a few of the foothills now and again but mainly cruising along in the lowlands at last.  The high winds and big seas have eased, we now have about 15 knots and less than 2 metre swell but she's a lumpy and rolly old ride until the seas flatten more.

The Aussie boats must think we are having a race.  Tactical Directions tried breaking the multihull speed record yesterday, clocking 19 knots down a wave.  Eye Candy went for the monohull record and blasted down a wave hitting 13.9 knots.  Balvenie has been much more sensible topping at around 9 knots, she loves the big waves and just lifts up and lets them pass under her.  Despite our lack of record breaking we are in the lead, much to skippers joy!!

Our only fish, found once in port!!!

We practised some more acrobatics this morning, shed a few layers of thermals and fleeces and have almost got "tropics" attire on.  At last it is warming up.  We have had sunshine each day, but the wind had been very cool while it was strong, today is much better.

Still haven't deployed the fishing line, can't face a bloody massacre on the deck if we happen to catch one - we have plenty of food.

Last night was so dark, the waning moon has waned to a point of being about as bright a a planet and and not appearing until 3am, not much use at all.  We saw a fishing boat and container ship last night, the first traffic in days.  

Time for a nap, looking very forward to dropping anchor in Mindelo around dawn. 

Groundhog day - again

sleeping on the floor but loaded upside down!!!

Position 19:04N 22.10W Course 220d, speed 7 knots, winds 20-25knots, seas still big but only 208 miles to Mindelo.

Monday afternoon, back to work after a hard weekend.  This morning sadly did not dawn calm and comfortable, it is just the same as yesterday, and the previous days.  Hanging out for a slight ease tomorrow but guess we will get what we get.

We are all starting to sleep a little better, the motion on the boat if fine for sitting on watch or snoozing but impossible for anything else.  I have decided I need 5 arms to be able to function living inside a bouncy castle, 2 for holding on with, 2 more for doing what needs to be done and 1 extra to do things like holding the toilet seat lid up so you can actually get to sit on it before it closes!!

It is getting warmer but still all sitting here with long johns on and plenty of layers of fleeces, thermals and beanies at night.  Somehow we thought we were going to the tropics but maybe we made a wrong turn somewhere.  On that note well done to John our friend and onshore weather man for being the only one to pick up on an incorrect position.

We still have Eye Candy and Tactical Directions reasonably closeby, with the other 6 that left with us spread out.  We are all looking forward to getting our anchors down soon. 

Still flying along

Current position 21:25N 20:22W course 224 and speed 7.1knots, destination Mindelo.  

It's Sunday afternoon and things have not improved.  Big seas, winds gusting over 30 knots and somewhat difficult living conditions, we live in the hope that it will get better soon.  We are now over half way. 

Out in the big blue wobbly stuff

Current position is 28:24N 18:34W, we left Las Palmas 51 hours ago and have been sailing under triple reefed main only for most of the journey so far. 

Seas are pretty lively out here and doing anything and that requires movement is a huge challange.  We hope the sea state settles soon, the wind is not bad, highest 32 knots but most of the time around 20 knots, we have travelled 342 miles so at least we are getting there quick!