July 24th, 2009

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July 24 On our way to France

Friday, July 24th, 2009

At 21.10 hrs UTC we are at 39.10 N 27.30 W with 1143 miles to go to Loctudy. We left Horta at 6 a.m. The northerly calmed down during the evening but I decided to stay at the dock till daybreak. We motored most of the day in choppy seas and little to no wind. Right now we are sailing with full main and a poled out, wing on wing 140% and doing close to 5 knots. It was a beautiful clear day. We passed Sao Jorge, Graciosa and can see the lights of Terceira island. The coast line and steep volcanic slopes dressed in lush green plants and shrubs remind me of the Marquesas. Lots of dolphins near the islands. Accompanying the boat and chasing the herring. We also saw a large whale, about 30 feet long feeding on the surface and blowing steam. I think they are Rigth Whales, here. Ron got the dolphins on video on his Black Berry. There is a boat catching up with us now, under power. I think it may be our new friends from Holland, they were also supposed to leave this morning for Holland. Aad and Hella Twigt. He celebrates his 62nd birthday to-day. I’ll try and see if I can raise him on VHF. I could vaguely hear Herb last night. I’ll check in at 11 p.m. Ron is already getting in the routine. We did a lot of rearranging of the way the boat was stowed in the last days. There was only one bunk in the cabin till then. Now Ron has the quarter birth and I sleep on the leeward of the two lower cabin bunks.