I go to bed slightly later than usual because I dozed off so frequently on the sofa yesterday afternoon that I didn’t think I’d sleep anyway. It’s so hot in the cabin that I have to leave the door open – no chance of air conditioning as we need the engine on to keep our speed near the 3.5 knot mark. I can’t believe how slowly we are going. We have had the lowest 24-hour mileage count ever – just 98 miles yesterday.
There’s some more commercial traffic in the night but nothing to cause any concern. We continue to motor but have to use the port engine rather than the normally faster starboard engine because today, that engine seems to be running slower than usual. Mike thinks that a slight fuel blockage has occurred and will change the filter when we get to Recife, if we ever get to Recife that is!!
We have a bit of speed in the late morning when a passing squall gives us some wind for an almost an hour and we reach 6 knots for the first time, but then it is gone and with the engine on we are back to our 4 knots. At least resting the starboard engine for a while seems to have cleared the blockage as it is now running smoothly again.
I feel marginally more human today, although still as lethargic, not helped by the 65% humidity.
The afternoon sees us making speeds of less than 2 knots when we try to sail. Mike is concerned about the fuel consumption as we fight the current and has put 5 jerry cans of diesel in the tank. I just hope that’s enough.
It’s all change again by the late afternoon. The wind picks up nicely and we are able to sail properly for the first time. However, the wind takes us further towards shore than we previously have been and suddenly every fishing boat along the coast seems to be out in force and while Mike sleeps I have to alter course by 20 degrees to avoid a couple of small boats. We are still over 20 miles from the coast and the boats seem far too small to be out this far. I feel seasick just watching them bob around like corks.
Hopefully our last night at sea (for a couple of days at least) is heralded by a glorious sunset once more and with yet again, nothing else to photograph, I snap away.
As it’s Friday night, it’s curry night and that also means that it’s Mike’s turn to cook. Having chucked the chicken thigh meat overboard we have to use breast meat which can be a bit disappointing but turns out good tonight. Not that Mike can have his dinner in peace. The fishing fleet is out in full and he is constantly bobbing up and down to check that we don’t mow anything down or get any lines caught. Checking is all very well if you can see them, but we know many of them don’t put their lights on so it’s all a bit hit (hopefully not literally) and miss. I’m glad I’m off to bed first!
Our position is: 09 deg 26 min S, 35 deg 08 min W
Distance so far: 22380 nautical miles
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