Cape Verdes bound for Argentina - 2 Oct
by Kate Laird

3 32 N
25 39 W

Motoring along. Motored all night. The GRIBs (weather maps) show that we should be getting some stronger SE winds once we reach the equator, so we're staying as far east as possible at the moment.

Last night, while I was on watch, I heard an annoyed noise from Hamish's cabin. Hamish emerged a few moments later with a flying fish. It had come through the hatch (which was only cracked open a few inches to let in some air) and landed on his head! Scales everywhere. What a way to wake up! I laughed so hard that I woke Anna up, who was also annoyed, and so she in turn woke up Helen...

We have had no luck getting weather faxes from anywhere, so on a whim, Hamish set the fax up to receive from Valpariso, Chile - and they came in perfectly. Of course no good to us as they are for the west coast of South America and Antarctica, but amusing to see nonetheless. The mysteries of SSB propagation!

Have called a halt to Anna's reading lessons. She was finding it very trying (not hard, but trying) and she is still quite a bit younger than Helen was when she started, so I think I will give it a rest. This had seemed like the perfect time to do it, as we'd have a month of steady studying - but not if she isn't old enough. I'll try again. Helen started at about 1 month shy of 5, so that's probably a good time (or maybe even later).

You can learn more about the Lairds and Seal at their website www.expeditionsail.com.