THE LAST OF THE BACON AND EGGS
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Sun 22 Jun 2008 12:02
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48:59.00N 09:01.60W
Noon-noon run: 148 miles
The miles to go are winding down. Yesterday
afternoon we did our last time zone change, bringing us onto British Summer Time
- now we really feel we are getting close. Then at about 0300 this morning
the depth sounder started to pick up the bottom, as we moved onto the
continental shelf. This has reduced the depth below the keel from over
4000 metres to 150 metres - it now feels positively shallow!
There are other signs that we are approaching
land. Yesterday afternoon we were welcomed by the most westerly gannet -
he was a long way out - and this morning they are frequent visitors. We
have seen two fishing boats, one identified as coming from Guernsey. This
has prompted Ian to get the fishing line out again, but he says if we are to
catch anything we will have to slow down so much that we will not be in until
Thursday!
The sun is up, the last of the bacon and eggs are
sizzling in the pan
 for a late brunch (timing driven by Tom who is
still in his bunk - and whose mitigation is that he had the 0500-0800
spell), the skipper's been playing with his sextant again
 (once again confirming we are in the N Atlantic) - so all's well at this Lat and
Long.
The wind is forecast to fade around this time
tomorrow, so progress may then slow. Our best estimate for arrival in
Falmouth is now early evening Monday - and we are certainly doing everything we
can to ensure we are there before the restaurants close! And those showers
are looming increasingly good in our minds!
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