3 June 2009
We were doing so well on our strategy of staying 25 degrees north and working our way westward. Alas over the last couple of days the wind has died away to virtually nothing. We are still ghosting along on an ENE1 and making 2 knots under cruising chute and mizzen staysail. These are the only sails that will fill under these conditions. Each watch is developing excellent skills as light airs helmsmen. We are not as badly off as some of the other boats North of us. We spoke to one that had only done 35 miles in one day. At least we have managed to maintain around 100.
2 nights ago we enjoyed one of the famous trade wind rain squalls where the wind went up to 22 knots. We shot along at 10.6 knots for 2 hours. Very exciting after all the light airs but alas it didn’t last. There were plenty of other squalls around but we always managed to miss them.
The crew morale is still high. We are celebrating Pip’s birthday today with a dinner party with full black tie and ball gowns. Some interesting creations are being produced, ‘no you can’t cut up the spinnaker ‘E’’!
Bermuda draws nearer but painfully slowly. And we hope for better winds tomorrow.
Best wishes from the Skipper and crew of Rona II
