Where did I leave my sea legs?

Friday 25th January

The first days' sailing from noon to noon yielded 185 miles as the crow flies! Furthest single day trip on this boat!!

Lots of birds around today, Frigates we think. One bird we passed was sitting on his own aircraft carrier in the shape of a wooden box lid, very creative. There was a big flock at one stage, hunting dinner presumably.

Conditions are very nice but rolly. Sea is about 2 to 3 metre swells. We ran with a single pole until about midday today. Since then running with both poles - this rig looks more solid. Val is searching for her sea legs- doesn't know where she can have put them. I have to say for someone who claims not to have them she is pretty good about the boat. JR has adapted well and is rapidly fitting into the groove. The rolling is similar to the Atlantic but without the violent cross seas. Last evening we had a tiny flying fish aboard not much more than inch long. It must have been quite an achievement to reach the deck for such a little mite like that.

We are on 3 hour watches but with a full moon last night it was very enjoyable. We were overtaken by Asolare at about 4am with Peter's new crew member a Glasgow lass called Lynn. We overtook him again a while later but they then went away from us with about a tenth of a knot in hand. Asolare was flying twin head sails one poled out, mizzen, and mizzen balooner - a lot of sail. There were about five or six World ARC boats together. Now at almost 19.00 there are only three others in sight.

No fishing yet but we are hopeful of learning a bit from JR. Rob and JR will probably go straight to Panama to get an early transit out. That way we may be able to avoid spending too long in Colon which they say has an apropriate name!

Val here - yes this is far more pleasant than the Atlantic! We still have the roll but are adapting more easily. We have a variety of music on the go which is very nice and keeps everyone happy. The weather has been great and one can see why sailing in the Caribbean is so different than sailing in the cold and rain!!! Thanks to all on board at the moment for making it a real pleasure to go sailing!