First sight of land at 4am - the lighthouse on the north edge of Lanzarote. After six days, we have reached the latitude that the previous Transat Classique started from in 2008. It's also the first day of rain, but at least it's warm rain.
Elizabeth asked "Why can't we stop there?" We had all wondered whether we'd feel remorse that the shore was passing so close and yet we wouldn't stop. In reality, the islands are more of a navigational problem to be solved so we can get on with heading back out into the ocean proper and those elusive trade winds.
The forecast NE'ly failed to materialise overnight but we had a good run and are finally wobbling fast downtrack under the spinnaker. Land has another effect on the crew - they have discovered they can get a mobile phone signal. The three men are now glued to their iPhones and sharing news and gossip, and getting bogged down in work and other irrelevant issues. Dave logged onto the live tracker website and we saw several other boats have gone the far side of Lanzarote. We're almost up to hull speed here on the shorter route, so we are so we're hopeful we'll gain a little on them.
We got the main sail fully repaired yesterday, finally sewing the new sliders on in situ when the wind was light. We hadn't quite finished when the breeze picked up and we needed to let the main out so James and I were perched out between the dog house roof and the boom over the guard rail sewing as fast as we could before Dave had to let the sail out too much for us to return aboard!
We saw another turtle yesterday, but still no birds, despite our proximity to land. We've also had our first run at baking aboard - cheese scones and soda bread. Dave is still building up for yeast doughs. Matthew is having a duvet-day as it's Saturday and Elizabeth is continuing to write her novel.
r u marie celeste as tracker seems to be down -can I here M saying - are we there yet? mum xxx
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