Last night I gave in a little too soon an was lazy at setting sail when that was appropriate. When the wind finally came last night, it seemed to keep coming and building until it was blowing a near gale! I had not expected that, and after flying some time behind my light weather jib I thought it best to take that sail down. When I finished that, it was blowing consistently over 30 knots, so I also took in two reefs in the main. The wind, that started out as Southeasterly, backed all round to north, so I gybed and continued my Southwesterly course and had a nap. Indeed, with this sail the boat was so nicely balanced and comfortable, that I slept (in batches) most of the night and morning, even though I had noticed that it had stopped raining and was actually quite sunny. And I was still doing 5 to 6 knots in the right direction. But when the wind finally went down a little, there was no excuse any more not to go outside and make sail.

Having removed the light weather jib from the foredeck, I set the heavy HA jib, and felt quite pleased with myself. And had a look around it this beautiful weather. And then I saw a sailing boat, at only 2 miles away! It was a boat a bit larger then mine, going in the same direction. It must be Banjaard, who apparently had not suffered from the calms that hold me down yesterday! We had a chat, (it was Banjaard!) and he explained that he had problems with his iridium which made it difficult for him to make his reports.

I seems that I have lost a lot of ground the last two days, which really annoys me! But there is another 1000 miles to go and I hope I can gain some on him again. Having another boat in sight certainly is motivating!

Bart

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