Picking up speed (and climate change!)

Friday 14th March

I was on watch this morning from 4 till 7 and about the most excitement was a flying fish landing in the wheel well beside me. I threw it back. It is the only fish caught to date, bar the one at lunch time. That one came in over the side rail, across the cockpit and table. and then hit me right on my chest. Thank goodness it was all of 2.5 cm long. We threw it back as well, after Paul had examined it. It was his first live flying fish. We have had cuttlefish on the decks as well.

Trade winds are still holding, and we still have a reef in the main and a few rolls in the genoa, speed is 8 knots SOG as I write this. Distance to go is 2262 miles and falling.

I let the battery voltage drop too low this morning as I slept late after my 4 to 7am watch and the freezer started to defrost. Val got very worried about the frozen chicken pieces but then cleaned and cooked them, and they are now safely back in the freezer. What a clever co-captain. I'm keeping a closer eye on the meters now.

One of the other boats has lost his autopilot, some electrical problem, and he is having to hand steer the whole way to Hiva Oa, what a pain that must be.
There are still 5 boats in Puerto Ayora for various reasons and they must be getting fed up with the place by now, unless of course they are doing research into the origin of species!

There is much reading of the books on South Pacific Islands now as we try to decide where to go and what to see.

There IS life in this ocean! It just bit off the fishing line including the steel trace and lure. Paul reckons this is a positive sign.

Shin is busy in the galley at the moment cooking up a storm, Carbonara and bread I believe. Smell is fantastic and the food will not last long tonight for sure.

PS. It's not getting exactly cold, but we all have put on either jackets or jumpers this evening, how amazing is that? Val was talking to Paul about a blanket for him tonight, and there was also talk of long trousers again.