We must be half way to somewhere

For the first time since we started this nonsense back in 2004, I've got a bird book and time – leisure really – to learn how to use it. The book is Onley, Derek and Scofield, Paul 'Albatrosses, Petrels & Shearwaters of the World' Princeton and Oxford 2007 – Thanks Carla!! – and today I used it for the first time. Two solitary birds, almost no time to study them but the first a soarer and possibly a Black Capped Petrel or a Cahow. Both just within their assigned territory. The other, a flapper, was probably a Sooty Shearwater but could have been one of the many all grey Petrels. I had not realised how many different species there are and sub species and variations, down to new versus worn plumage.

The Plan – we could still see Valverde at sunset but I think we can say we're past the Canaries. Once again, trying to stay just out of the influence of weather shenanigans to the west and hold our line roughly SSW towards the Cape Verdes and then to St Peter and Paul Rocks at about 29 W just north of the Equator. To get there, we have to cross the ITCZInter Tropical Convergence ZoneInter Tropical Convergence Zone, also known as The Doldrums, also known as The DoldrumsInter Tropical Convergence ZoneInter Tropical Convergence Zone, also known as The Doldrums, also known as The Doldrums unless we find ourselves still in it. The TradesBands of NW and SW winds either side of the equator that blow with more or less constant speed and direction all year. will die at about 10N and then who knows? The big arc behind the South Atlantic high to get us across to South Africa is most likely but we won't know till we see what's out there. We are now almost half way between Falmouth and the Equator – variable wind but always from the North. Twin poledAn explanation from Malcolm: It is quite normal for a yacht to 'pole out' its jib (the foresail) on the opposite side of the boat to the mainsail when running downwind - this is called goosewinging'. A spinnaker pole is attached to the mast at one end and the back corner (clew) of the jib at the other. That holds the jib at the right angle so that it catches the wind. On Berri they've found that they can often get good performance and a comfortable ride by taking the mainsail right down and setting a second jib poled out on the opposite side to the first. – about to try an experiment with the red sail but it means taking it down first so needs the right moment. Lovely relaxed sailing – not used to it!

Once again, we're crossing the old slave routes. How much misery here, how many dead just thrown overboard, nameless and forgotten?

Thanks for all your messages. No ISSInternational Space Station for a month or so and a 1 iron for lightning – nobody, not even God, can hit a 1 iron…Something to do with golf, I assume! If anyone wants to send a message to all seven or so of our followers, such as, for instance, the one about the ISSInternational Space Station, I think you can use the Comments field on the blog. Not sure though.

———-
radio email processed by SailMailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service.
for information see: http://www.sailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service..com