217 miles to st Helena

18’05.0S 002’37.6W course 305′ speed 5kn

We have been under engine since this morning or nearly afternoon. Around 11:15 we had to take down the main topsail and the mainsail as the flogging was just too much. Every hour we would have about 10 minutes where we had enough wind to properly sail with, but the other 50 minutes the sails would be flogging and the speed was down to 3,5 knots.. The waves just had too much grip on us, and our course downwind was more like a reach just to keep the sails full.

And so lunch was a little late and the whole crew worked together to get the ship, ship shape again. Lines coiled, sailed furled, topsail back on its spot and then off to a cold pasta salad and fresh raisin and cinnamon bread. We wanted to do a swim stop just after lunch, but the ocean had to calm down a little further before I felt comfortable to do so. And so we postponed until the afternoon, just before dinner. At 17:30 we turned of the engine for a quick dip in the ocean! Saltos where made, jumps from the jib boom, dives from the rigging and just loads of general splashing! So dinner was a little late as well!

But nothing better then a good meal of chicken (or chickpea), coconut, chili’s, peanuts and banana! It worked very well with cardamom and ginger, and rice on the side! Thank you Ingrid for this one! It was a big succes!

We are counting down the miles to St Helena, the wind is still predicted to stay light until the 18/19th and so we will make the miles North and then drop anchor for a few nights. We have never been able to stop on st Helena before, Sylke really recommended it, and so do the stories and pictures of the islands, so we intend to find out more! But before we get there.. we may have another swim stop during the afternoon. We saw loads of growth on the hull of the Tecla, maybe we can use our time productively and get some dead barnacles off!

All is well on board, Jet

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