Blog 24th May 2010
Nightsong
Mon 24 May 2010 14:40
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Dear Blog
Noon position GMT-2 36.21N 51.24W - 117 miles
since noon yesterday but not all in the right direction. Funnily enough we
appeared to have a current against us to the south of the 35th parallel but now
are being lee-bowed with the current with us to the north of it. Still we are
making progress eastwards after a rough night plugging a E force 5 -
Nightsong was going well with a SOG of 6.5 knots most of the time and a VMG
(velocity made good) towards the Azores of > 5 knots).- 1 reef in the main
and a rolled down jib.
 As the pic of the chartplotter shows we are taking
the direct great circle route to Horta. This means that currently we are only
625 miles from Newfoundland, 200 miles from the southern end of the Grand Banks
and 100 miles from the southernmost ice limit for late May (and north of the
known southern limit of icebergs admittedly in the early 20th century).. Water
temp down to 17C from 24C in Bermuda.
The Great Garry from Northshore has been in touch
and the good news is that we don't have to drydock again - the vibration when
running the engine in gear is almost certainly a misalignment of the shaft with
the engine - caused by the flexible coupling bolts breaking. A new flexible
coupling has been ordered to be sent to the Azores and I am awaiting
instructions as to how to align everything up. The other bit of good news is
that the jib held out the rough night and no more splits have occurred. Garry is
badgering Elvstrom Sails for a new jib to be delivered free!! Believe it when I
see it!!
More wildlife including a visit from a huge pod of
striped dolphins just now and several turtles ambling by. A grey cold day though
- it's warmer in Britain. Westerlies should arrive tonight with F6/8 forecast
for Wednesday/Thursday as we catch the southern edge of an Atlantic low - that
will be a relief after 1 1/2 days of lee rail under.
AJB 24th May
2010
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