Phase 3 : the Azores high - more complicated more demanding, can’t just adjust the wind vane and keep an eye on the horizon - here everyone helms, the tension is up - playing the edge of the high, light wind frustration, a bit here a bit there, play the edge of a lone thunder cloud, adjust the sails, readjust, preventer to the main, a barber haul on the kite sheet, relook at the angles, gamble on the shift, push more to the north to keep the options open... less heat, less humidity, airing out the leaky fore cabin, fill the diesel tank (we have used 35 liters of diesel since we left, 13 hours of charging)... 54 miles in the last 12 hours, like standing still!!!
Jorgen is out there now, lots of stars no moon yet, black night, can’t see the sails, talk to me kite, let me hear the luff flutter, feel the smooth flow as Naomi locks into the groove and surfs down the swell. I feel sweaty, my beard itches, i spaced out the morning sea water over the head, woke up to do battle and got around to breakfast at 1500LT. We got too far to the east last night without the kite, taking it to easy and paid the price today - not tonight.
