Shaping well

Our first night after leaving Madeira was pretty rough.Up to 28 kts of
wind on the nose it took quite a bit of effort to get things running
smoothly.In the end,furling the genoa deeper and letting the
mainsail,2nd reef out to close against the shrouds,we managed to spill
some wind.Slower speed and far less stress on the rigging,we eventually
managed a certain level of comfort.Four hours on four hours off worked
out quite well.But when you go and sleep now,you have to sleep.No time
for rolling around waiting for sleep to come to you.Our sleeping pattern
will also stabilize now that we sleep the same hours,day and night,which
also helps.

We could probably get to Gibraltar in four or five days,but our weather
files predict seriously strong winds in that area till the 8th.30 kts
getting up to 45,no way to get through to either Cadiz or Gibraltar.We
are therefore deliberately slowing down and will see what it looks like
on the 9th or 10th.With the wind coming from the north there is a
positive chill in the air.Yesterday was overcast,today,it is so nice to
have a bit of sunlight to warm us up a bit.Last night on my watch I
could for the first time really don my winter
garb.Scarf,beanie,gloves,socks,crocs,jeans,sailing pants and
t-shirt,fleece jacket,sailing jacket and a steaming hot cup of tea to
fend off the cold.

We had an early supper last night.Chicken left over from the night
before,wrapped in freshly made roti's.Brad was surprised how easy it is
to make roti's and I am sure he will make plenty more in time to come.He
says his favorite food is chicken wraps.We got some fresh produce on
Madeira,including mayonaise,so yes,it went down very well.But then his
favorite food is also pasta.Then braai is his favorite too.I just asked
him,and he said it,all food is his favourite food,but his favorite
favorite is van Eck smoked chicken on the Weber and veggie bake and
potatoes on the coles.

For today I am preparing country style stew.Cubed beef,fresh
carrots,tomatoes,cabbage,potatoes,garlic,onion etc etc etc on a bed of
spiced rice.We are planning to have supper a bit earlier now so we can
fall asleep easier,without our tummies being to full to make it
difficult.Food comas are nice,but they only last a while.We need to get
sleep when we can,quality sleep.Powernaps in a way,and not difficult if
you set your mind to it.

We received news last night that Pieter landed safely in South Africa
and will attend to his problems on Monday.Getting seasick would have
just aggrevated his hernia even more and out here we have no facilities
to deal with sush emergencies.Pieter,we wish you a speedy recovery and
all the best.We miss you too much but that is how it goes sometimes.It
is damn quite without you onboard.

Paul