Rona 2’s blog 1 June 2009
They are coasting along under asymmetric, main and mizzen staysail. Making 5 knots in 7 knots of true wind. Current wind is Easterly 3. The sea is calm and you build up speed very gradually by paying off and coming up. Sailing at 120 degrees off the wind. To make maximum boat speed with the wind off the quarter. This is lovely trade wind sailing. And we think we are skirting the high pressure area which is keeping us moving.
It is very hot and we are in shorts and shirts at night as well as day. We will keep moving west and turn up for Bermuda as soon as the wind veers. Morale on board is extremely high. And the skip routine is well established. The mother watch are producing some fantastic meals. We have had a deep clean of Rona 2 in the fine weather and she is sparkling. We are too far away to hear the HF radio broadcasts from the communications ship but we are in touch with the office on the satellite link which is working extremely well.
The crew are organising a dinner party for later in the week and our Royal Yacht squadron silver service waitress who has been putting the afterguard through their paces so that we can cook and serve the meal. The on watch crew are still getting the most they can out of Rona II and we are sailing well but could do with some more wind. I have a wonderful crew and there hasn’t been a single moan since we left Tenerife and after 2 weeks that is some going!
We have sailed 2239 miles. 760 to go and excitement is mounting. The crew send their love and best wishes to friends and family.
Skipper – Rona II
