15:33.97N 26:14.64W

Somehow the jobs list for the boat was all ticked off with 36hrs to go and the last of the provisioning was completed on the morning of the start yesterday (17^th November).  So, with most of the rest of the 90-strong fleet (some were still completing repairs), we crossed the start line off the harbour at Mindelo at noon and headed out through the gap between Sao Vicente and Santo Antao.  We set the Mexican and slowly the fleet spread out, making it easier to avoid the other boats.  Having sailed through a bit of a calm patch off the start line, we found ourselves behind Galatea, Adastrina and Nusquama.  Not at all where we wanted to be!  However, we soon overhauled them and watched the wind increase to the low twenties as it funneled between the islands.  The swell was minimal though, so it was all easily controllable.  As we left the Cape Verde islands behind us, the wind decreased and the swell built.  We decided to keep the gennaker up overnight as the forecast was for no more than 15kts in the gusts.  Two hours later of course we were seeing a general increase in the wind again and saw gusts to 16kts three times.  We brought the Mexican down for the night and never saw anything over 14kts again all night!  At dawn we re-hoisted it and are now sailing a lovely angle to Grenada with good speed under a cloudless sky.  The water temperature is almost 28 degrees and it’s getting hot down below.  Sorry to all our UK friends and family – you probably don’t want to hear that!  We daren’t start fishing yet because we have no room in the freezer yet, but it won’t be long.

Giles