Atlantic Blog #6 - Saturday 29th November 2014

Still more strong winds today, but thank goodness for wind to blow Laros along.  We are looking forward to some sunshine as the dull leaden skies bringing occasional drizzle during the day and squalls during the night, and it is becoming tedious.  It is colder than we expected, so some sun please!  We have continued our SW progress well and look like we shall clock up our usual 150+ miles/day.  Reef in and out of the main and furling reef in the genoa are commonplace every 3-4 hours.  Battery management seems to be under control as we now have an almost constant 12.3v from the main house battery - that at the expense of turning most things off.  Thank goodness for LED bulbs on the masthead!  Fuel pre filters in the 2 engines were changed today, to ensure smooth diesel flow for the rest of the passage.  We have consigned the 240v battery charger to the metaphoric bin as it will and then it won't change.  The main engine alternators will suffice to keep up what we use, oh, and the solar panel when THE SUN STARTS TO SHINE!  Today we completed 5 full days sailing and passed into the last 2000 miles to St Lucia - sounds good, that!  We are pleased as it means we've cracked 800!  The galley continues to produce firsts - of course, that's people in the galley, well 2 people actually.  Danny and Johnny sail, and Tanya and Debs create firsts in the galley.  Today's first was a 'never fail fruit cake'.  I can't answer your question yet, as it's still in the oven. Watch routine is very well settled in.  Just the sun to sort itself out.  Have I mentioned the sun needs to get its act in gear?