Trade winds drop out

Slow progress south for Jean-Luc van den Heede

Position at 1300: 30°59 N / 17°33 W
11-knot E wind, calm sea, heavy westerly swell.
Day temperature 27° / night 18° / sea 21°
Distance covered in the last 24 hours 194 Miles. To Cape Horn 5822 Miles.
Lead over P. Monnet 11Hours.

Hello

Yesterday afternoon, I caught sight of the island of Porto Santo, which reaches a maximum height of 546 m. Then, when night fell, I saw the lights of Madeira, which reaches 1861m high.

Unfortunately, at that moment the trade winds dropped off for me. I had however, of course, chosen to pass these islands on the windward side, because on the leeward side the landmass stops the trade winds from blowing. With no wind, being close to land is always a problem, when you have no other means of propulsion... and I saw the rock of Bugio (348m.) well lit by the moon and indicated by its lighthouse, growing gradually closer. I could always drop anchor, if I had to as a last resort.

Fortunately , that wasn’t necessary, as just before 0300 I felt Adrien begin to sway, as the trade winds picked up again. They’re not blowing a lot, but enough to carry me on towards the Canary Islands, which I’ll leave to my other side, in other words to my port side, but I’ll be far enough off not to lose the wind again!

Until tomorrow,

JL VDH

I’m spending the day with a dancer : young Roger’s cuddly toy from Mandalieu.