Day #15 Cape Verdes to Antigua Atlantic Crossing

POSITION: 16*57.7'N 59*02.6'W

Noontime Daily Run: 167nm

We have 155nm to go and can feel the Caribbean pulling at us from just over the hoizon. the last few days have been a downwind sled ride with Sila strongly in the groove wing and wing eating up the miles. On what is likely to be our last day offshore the Rolling Stones are cranked in the cockpit overseeing a highly competitive set of backgammon games between Mary and Molly. Porter and Jack are scampering about as Sila weaves through the swells at a steady 7 knots. In the last 4 days we have had plenty of squalls with the wind, rain and seas pitching up in just 10-15 minutes for 30-40 minutes. This morning the squalls were "just" 30 knots, mild compared to the 40 knot squalls we have all gotten used to. Everything and everybody aboard is caked in salt. The icebox is long warm, we have just 2 pears left for fresh fruit, and the pantry is much diminished. Three days ago we had a freighter 20 miles away on radar and haven't seen anything since. We are all very settled and comfortable with the routine that is shortly to end. Odd to be so close to completing a life long dream of sailing our own boat across an ocean. - Christopher

If you have been following the blog, then you know that I sustained an attack by flying fish on my midnight to 4 am watch a few days ago. Last night, I was attacked by a 3-foot Rainbow trout at 4 in the morning. Mary had stealthily put Porter's stuffed fish, which I use as a body pillow on passage to keep me from rolling into the shelves, out through the cockpit hatch onto the floor. Imagine my surprise when i turned around to see it there. Hilarious. We continue to sail and operate in good style as the horse makes its way to the barn... - Molly


Winning against the squalls. Losing in Backgammon. And still loving my family. - Mary