Daily Report #53

At 3:00 last night it was that time. Ton was already eager in the cockpit to hoist the mainsail but had waited a while until I was awake and ready for the watch. See now that's working together. There was a nice wind from the south! Hoisted the mainsail together with a third reef in it and that was not a bad idea because I was just on watch and the wind picked up from 15 to 25 knots with lashings to 28 knots. The sea built up quickly and so it became a hard night's work to keep speed but not to fly out of the corner. So always adjust the jib and keep an eye on the course. A strong shower front passed through which the full moon occasionally shone in between. The morning opened gray and grim with high drifting waves and a ship that was reminiscent of an Efteling attraction in every way. Ton took over the watch and I crawled into my bed glued to the side wall to catch up on sleep and woke up with a lovely sun, Ton dozing in the cockpit and the Kalos
ini basking herself with a brisk stride through a roaring blue sea. And it stayed that way all day for once. Ton was also able to sleep well for once because half wind with 18 knots THAT SLEEPS GREAT! We are in touch with Port Elisabeth our next destination at 1300 miles. If necessary, we receive additional weather updates from the harbor master and he follows us via the site.
How beautiful is that! We are now sailing into the evening with a nice wind of 15 knots and a calm sea. Hope it stays that way until tomorrow morning. Course 272 and continue like this for 10 days. It was a lovely day!

Regards!
Tony and Mark