Cape Town to Tortola on a Leopard 48 Catamaran named for the trip - Lekka Lewa

Once again it is an immense blessing to be out at sea. And to be out here
on a brand new Leopard 48 Catamaran makes it even more special. This cat
won Cruising World Magazine's Boat of the Year award for 2013 in the Best
Full Size Multihull category. It is the fifth time this honor has been
awarded to the Leopard Catamarans, produced by Robertson and Caine in Cape
Town. In the Feb issue of SA Sailing magazine there is a review on the
Leopard 48, amazing boat to say the least. Check it on the net, there is
too much to say about this yacht that pictures can tell in a glance.

Our first day out we raised full main and headsails and with a gentle 10
to 12 knots of breeze we were clipping nicely at 7.5 kts on a beam reach.
The weather looked good for as far as the weather prophets predicted. A
front was coming in just below Cape Town and we expected a bit of
westerlies before the wind would back to SW and S to SE. The mighty
Benguela current runs up the west coast of Africa from the cold south and
brings rich nutritious water to the surface, hence the rich sealife in the
area. Just before sunset the wind died down and we started motoring. The
swell was coming from the west as a result of the front that passed and we
experienced some beam seas, the swell coming from the side of the boat.
Not very comfortable on any vessel but we knew this would only last a day
or so before the current, swell and wind all moves in harmony in the same
direction. Fair winds and following seas is what we sometimes wish our
fellow mariners. It describes such conditions. On a catamaran it is pure
bliss, surfing down the swells and wind blowing from behind. Correct
nautical term for the back of the boat or from behind is stern or from
astern.As our weatherfiles predicted we had up to 33kts of wind coming
through on our second day out. Our average speed would be 6.5 kts and when
surfing down the swells the speed builts up quickly, our fastest surf
recorded so far 17.7 kts.And all we had out was a little bit of headsail,
set to make the most of the conditions and placing the least possible
stress on our yacht.Enough of the technical stuff.

First night out we had pre-cooked chicken and bread and the chicken and
mayonaise sandwiches went down well. Still finding our sealegs we are not
always keen on cooking up a storm on the first day out. The night before I
prepared some boerewors with potato spuds and a tin of sweetcorn. last
night it was pasta shells and mince. For breakfast we have bircher muesli,
a speciality of Malcolm who is 1st Mate on this trip. It basically
consists of rolled oats soaked the night before in a bit of water and
lemon juice. Almond nuts are also soaked the night before which swells
them up and softens them. Apple is then grated into the rolled oats the
next morning and on top of this an array of fresh fruit. The soaked
almonds are then crushed and sprinkled on top. A bit of cinnamon and honey
adds the final touch. A lot of work and time consuming but healthy and
delicious. For midnight snacks Malcolm also baked his first batch of
rusks. The recipe is a family secret and oh so nice. Both my crew enjoy
good coffee. Real coffee with a plunger, all different types. My other
crew member is Jacob Gross, born in the USA. Served five years in the US
navy and travelled far and wide after his service in the navy. We all get
on extremely well, have respect for each other and allow for differences
of opinion on any and all matters.

We have some way to go, from start to finish 6000nm and taking about five
to six weeks. First stop St. Helena and then head for the Caribbean. I
hope to share with you an insight into the life of a long distance sailor.
Life on the big blue.What goes on inside our bodies, our heads, our hearts,
our mind, our soul and our spirit.

Our current position is 28*24' S and 012*16' E. We are 200nm from the
nearest land and due east of us is Oranjemund. We hope to make landfall at
St. Helena Island on the 22nd of February.

Will post again soon and until then take good care.

Paul