VDH and the whale

Frenchman nearly 20 days ahead of westabout record

Day 82
Position at 1300: 38°28S / 67°26E
Wind 15 knots from WNW, slight sea.
Temperatures: day 21°C/ night 14°C/ sea 18°C
Distance covered in the last 24 hours: 147 miles.
To the Cape of Good Hope 2,379 miles.
Lead over P. Monnet 19 days and 8 hours.

Hi there,

"There she blows". That was how, according to what I have read, that the lookouts on the whaleships announced the appearance of a whale. So that 's what I thought this morning, when I did my rounds out on Adrien's deck. On the port side, less than a mile away, I clearly noticed one with its characteristic geyser and blowing, which you can hear from far away, when there's no wind, as was the case today.

I think there were at least three of them. Unfortunately, they were too far off to film, and as I'm trying to head north, there was no way I was going to tack to get closer to them. It was the first time I've seen any this year. It should be pointed out that they can surely find all they need in these waters, which at nightfall glow in the dark in the wake of the yacht. As I change tack, it's even more spectacular, as the keel forms some wonderful effects with blocks of greenish light on the surface of the ocean.

Apart from these meetings, which are always magical in the life of a singlehanded yachtsman, I'm continuing on my jolly way. Yesterday, some of those following me regularly on the web, pointed out a mistake in the number of days lead I have. Indeed, they were right. It should have said 19 days (and not 18) and 12 hours. I worked hard enough to gain that extra day that I certainly don't want to see it vanish just like that!
See you tomorrow,

JL VDH

A day with the cuddly toy from the Mutuelles de Loire-Atlantique insurance company put on board Adrien by Idée d'image.