The winds have steadily increased until they are between 14 - 17 knots now and that is giving us a speed of close to 7 knots. We are sailing almost a direct course for Cabo Sao Vicente, the lower corner of Portugal. Since there is a current running down the coast, we are aiming more for Lisbon at the moment to keep from getting swept right past our destination. We only have about 596 miles to go now.
Andi was a bit worried about making this part of the passage without extra crew. But it has been totally mellow with small waves and good progress. Both of us are well rested and doing a lot of reading. Ocean passages are actually a lot more relaxing than coastal passages. And in the middle of the ocean, the winds are very steady. You set up the sails and then leave them for days at a time. So I think that she is reassured. This is delightful sailing! Much nicer than the first leg.
We've seen a few ships - in plenty of time to miss them. But there has been very little sea life. No dolphins, no fish boiling on the surface, few birds. It is kinda lonely out here. Every once in a while, a jet passes overhead. Tonight there are clouds and so we can't see the stars. Last night the milky way was so bright that it left a "path" in the water.
At times I am just amazed at how well this boat works - charging through the night, holding a course that keeps the sails trimmed. All kinds of mechanisms and systems are working together to make this miracle possible. I'm sitting here typing away while it all goes on around me. We are both very glad to have the boat we do. At the moment we've gone 11,629 miles in her!
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