Day 5: Sat 9th April - 06*52'S, 100*55'W (Midnight) Seems like it's drying up!

In all events, today has seemed to be a much better day.  We have had quite some sunshine, marked by the solar panels pumping lots of amps (or should it be watts?) into the batteries.  Fridge and freezer are now down to proper temperature, something that alluded us on the Atlantic crossing trip.  Shower day today, by choice rather than restriction of water.  Our tanks are pretty full, so it's a matter of wanting a shower, or will the brush go through the hair anymore?  Adventure in the galley must wait until at least tomorrow, as the ride is still too bumpy for Deb, and Johnny has to rev up to culinary delights. Nevertheless, we enjoyed mashed potatoe (again, perfect) and salad nicoise, egg perfectly boiled.  Sailing has been dominated by the SEasterlies on a beam reach, achieving over 7.5 knots/hour (178 nm today).  By tomorrow morning we should have reached 7*30'S, which marks the southern edge of the rain storm belt.  Then we can turn a bit more west.  The Marquesas should then be something like 265* heading.

So, Aunty Marg.  She was Johnny's elderly aunt who died in 2015. She was bright as a button to the end, let you know which way she was going, always in a quiet, thoughtful, calm and very precise way. We felt she would be an ideal guide across oceans.  So, Aunty Marg is with now.  She performed superbly for the whole day.  Easy to engage her, once remote cord and pulley deployed, and her pins pulled out (not quite sure where that analogy lies), and steady as she goes all day and all night.  A little hesitant either side of the intended course unless the boat is truly balanced, but without power consumption, and without murmur of dissent, and won't click off unbeknownst.  A true rock.  Oh, sorry ....... Aunty Marg is the Hydrovane wind vane steering gear.

Night watches needed tweeking, as witnessed by J's nodding head as Deb came on watch at 3am.  Let's try that 3,3,2,2 hour routine we talked about, shall we?!  A passing commercial ship, thank goodness on AIS (Auto ID Sys), and brilliant lightning way off in the north were the only events of the night.  Goodnight Day 5.  Good morning Day 6.