Daily report #117

Dear dear readers,

We're going like crazy. No idea what that means exactly, but I agree it means fast. We're going fast. Certain! Finally we have speeds on the clocks that are more than 4.2 or 3.5 or even worse 2.1. Now we are going 6-7 knots with half wind and up to 20 knots of wind under almost full sail. The mainsail still has a reef in it.
If we can keep that up, we can be in the Azores within three days. We decided to go to Ponta Delgada. Just jump on land, get the things and leave again. Hopefully in 1 day. Maybe less.
But the really wonderful thing is that we are sailing again. The engine is off, the steering gear that works on the wind is set and we are back to normal watchkeeping. You miss routine the most when it is no longer there. We're in a good mood. There are almost no problems anymore.

We have encountered quite a bit of shipping here heading west. Just as if we have to cross a busy street using the zebra path. Fortunately we are clearly visible on the equipment of these ships so we have not had any close situations. We will probably get that in the canal where it can be really busy. But we are not there yet.

First things first.

This afternoon Mark made a dish with mashed potatoes, vegetables, a jar of curry paste and dried mushrooms from Darwin! (Are now gone). Yum!
Tonight we had fresh bread baked by Mark again. Brown bread of course. Fibers. Extremely important for smooth bowel movements.
Which neither of us has any complaints about. However, the toilet is constantly sputtering. The drain hose is old and has a narrow passage somewhere which leads to blockage. And then you have to take things apart and start working with buckets. What a shame.
We are also going to get a new piece of toilet hose in the Azores. Mark is a bit fed up with that bucket.


Greetings Ton and Mark