Cape Verdes bound for Argentina - 5 Oct
by Kate Laird

4 16 S
30 05 W

Today the sun is almost exactly overhead - the declination is 4 S and we are at 4 S. One can't easily take a noon sight today, as it just spins around the horizon.

We also passed another milestone: we're halfway between Lydney Yacht Club and the Cape Horn light house. That's as the crow flies. We have to travel considerably farther to work our way around the high pressure systems and large bits of Brazil and Tierra del Fuego. But it's actually probably about halfway in boat distance as well, as we've made a big detour around the Azores high and Brazil already.

Very hot on board as it is too rough to have any hatches open, except for the one over the galley (if spray comes in there, it is not so serious). Night watches are definitely preferred - it is the one time I spend a lot of time outside. It's almost the full moon too, so very bright even in the middle of the night. The moon is so bright, it actually hurts my eyes to look straight at it. I am not sure if it is because we are so directly under the sun, or because the sky is clearer of pollution here.

Good sailing. The wind has freed us a bit more, so it is not so bouncy on board.

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