journey to Tahiti. And somehow we have managed to do our first 1000 nm
as well, meeting our target spot-on. The weather files we have received
have been a little less than accurate, but we are thankful for what we
have recieved and made the most of it. This morning it is overcast
again, like yesterday morning, and we have to motorsail to keep up our
average. But, as yesterday and many times before, things will
change.After a slow start yesterday it wasn't long before we were
sailing fast and smooth with the wind building more and more. The skies
opened a bit towards the afternoon and early hours this morning Steven
and myself decided to reef our mainsail to second reef as the wind was
starting to peak at close to 20 kts.
Quite a few sailchanges took place during the day, starting with twin
headsails. Then the wind started backing a bit and we had to bring the
one headsail down and hoist the mainsail. The wind direction eventually
settled and remained at a broad reach,where it is still at. On your
watch that would mean the wind is coming at us from about 8 o'clock.
Eduan had his turn of preparing supper and we had pap and wors with hot
chakalaka, coleslaw and some beetroot salad. Filled our tummy's nicely
and we were ready for our night watches.
Our original nautical term for today is "Aloof". From the old Dutch word
loef, meaning windward. It was adopted by the English sailors in the
16th and 17th centuries, and in books of old voyages it is written
variously as aluffe, a-luff and aloof.Describes a vessel which is
sailing along a lee shore with her head pointing high into the wind to
prevent her being set inshore; also said of a vessel amongst a fleet of
ships which sails higher into the wind so that she draws apart.Thus it
has come to mean 'one who stands apart'.
I wish you a magnificent Monday.
Captain Paul
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