Atlantic Blog #2 - Tuesday 25th November 2014

Appetizing aromas of frying chicken waft up the companionway stairs as I type this blog. Tanya is chef of the day (well, for supper anyway) as she proclaims an enthusiastic desire to cook every meal - OK by me!  We experienced a stop-start-terrific gusty night last night, caused primarily by the wind shadow to the south of Gran Canaria.  Nevertheless, we seem to have been reasonably successful in keeping the wind in our favour as we understand from you all that we are up in the front third.  The first HF radio schedule with position reporting at 1200hrs today also indicated that we were only a handful of boats back from the westerly front runner (from those who answered).  Must mean we are doing some things right! This morning and afternoon have been bright sunshine with big seas, but still chilly.  No dolphins today.  We still see the odd boat of the fleet here and there, but they are becoming few and far between.  HF email comms is good, and thank you all for quick responses.  Good to get mail from back home up here in the front lines.  Weather forecast from ARC control has shown a low pressure front coming from the north, so the advice is to head south, then turn west again in a couple of days.  So that's what we are doing.  Danny has suffered mal de tum, out of character, but he has chirped up this afternoon after our first shower session of the crossing. Two clean, two still pongy.  Just hope the watermaker works tomorrow, otherwise we're in the ....  Fishing line not yet deployed as we are gathering ourselves together after an impromptu watch rota last night. Really, only the after effects of our first night at sea.  All is good, and morale is climbing.  Tea this afternoon was accompanied by yoghurt cake - yum! Sundowner drinks are in the fridge, and the damper mix is being prepared! My, what an experience this is turning out to be!