Thu Oct 9 2:00:00 EDT 2008
We are in the ITCZ (doldrums), and have had good conditions so far...only one real squall, and not many hours of flat calm. We expect to be in the ITCZ for a few more days, so expect to see several more squalls. All day today we have been pleasantly beating into light headwinds from the south, with sunny skies and small waves.
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Comments [1]
I have some great shots by Richard Langdon from the 97-98 Whitbread on my blog: www.georgeconk.blogspot.com, or just go to volvooceanrace.org for the latest
- George
Tue Oct 7 9:00:00 EDT 2008
Went aloft yesterday to fix the AIS (more on this another time) antenna. Was very pleased that it was the easiest trip aloft I've ever done at sea (the steps on the mast are a great help). Yann, the previous owner, used to go aloft every time he set the fisherman (sail that sets up high, between the two masts, visible in the picture), as it had a roller furling system that jammed. The fisherman no longer has that roller furling system, so has not (yet) required any trips aloft.
In the picture, we are going downwind with fisherman, main staysail (below the fisherman) and two headsails, which are obscured by the fisherman. The mainsail is down to keep the sail area forward, making it easier for the wind vane to steer the boat.
We are getting closer to the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone), or Doldrums as they are also called. The sunny tradewind skies have been replaced more and more by squally, overcast conditions. We are doing a lot of sail changes, as the winds keep changing.
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Mon Oct 6 0:00:00 EDT 2008
Exit (saida in Portuguese) papers from the Maritime Police that allow us to leave Cape Verde. The heat and humidity here in the tropics conspire to wilt any papers.
While we are at sea, comments to the blog will appear on the blog, but I won't be able to read them (I just have limited email access via satellite phone now) until we reach another port and find an internet cafe.
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Sun Oct 5 0:00:00 EDT 2008
Not only rain to wash the African sand off the decks, but a rainbow as we left the Cape Verde islands. There is a lot of orange sand from the Sahara that sometimes blows onto everything in the Cape Verdes.
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Fri Oct 3 0:00:00 EDT 2008
Abandoned fishing boats in Praia harbor. Issuma is just visible way off to the right.
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Fri Oct 3 0:00:00 EDT 2008
Abandoned fishing boats in Praia harbor. Issuma is just visible way off to the right.
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Wed Oct 1 0:00:00 EDT 2008, Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde
We arrived in Praia, on the island of Santiago, a couple of days ago. It is hot and interesting here.
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Tue Sep 30 0:00:00 EDT 2008, Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde
A very common way of carrying things here.
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Thu Sep 25 0:00:00 EDT 2008, Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde
Dark Dinghy, Bright Sun
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You plotted the right course. - George
Thu Sep 25 0:00:00 EDT 2008, Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde
Street Market.
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