Underway again

17:30UTC 19/11/08 34'26N 076'31W

Well, the front passed more quickly than expected and this morning saw moderate winds and a good forecast. We left harbour at 8am. We are running downwind in about 15kt of breeze, very comfortable and fairly fast in the gusts, slower when it lulls. It feels like the wind is easing more than forecast, which will be galling to have waited out too much wind only to sail in too little. Such is life.

And such is fishing. We had one that got away this morning. It was THIS BIG, of course. WE spent fifteen minutes reeling it in only for the line to snap just before we got it aboard. We could see the fish in the water; it would have made a nice dinner and now it has our lure which, of course, it doesn't want either. At least the hooks rust pretty quick so the fish should survive. We've put heavier line on the reel and set out the line again.

It's a bit cold, the water is about 12'C and the air colder still. At least the NOAA data buoy on the other side of the gulf stream reports 24'C water. We'll be there in about 24 hours, yippee. A cold night to endure first though. Hot water bottles all round.

All's well. N.

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