Day 28 – Friday

After getting some wind overnight and managing only 53 nm in 24 hours we were hoping for better today. A light breeze took us into day light but by 9am had dropped altogether and we were sitting again. If you looked at us from the outside or out the window of a plane you would probably thought what an ideal setting – a yacht in the middle of nowhere, beautiful sunny day and calm seas. This was far from the truth on board. The heat came in slowly and soon we were baking. We don’t know what th temperature was but we guessed over 38 degrees Celsius. The sea was as calm as the second day but there was obviously a different swell as Hot ice was rocking the worst she has on the entire trip. At the best of times it is difficult or nigh impossible to find a comfortable position to sit, but combined with the heat and the rocking it was impossible. It was a battle of wills for the crew to keep calm and not show their frustration.

Apart from trying to sleep and read during the day which proved to be challenging, we occupied our time coming up with schemes to get off the boat. At thousand miles
return trip to the mainland there are not many viable alternatives. We did finally see 2 ships yesterday and we chatted to an ore carrier going to Brazil from China explaining our position. He seemed to find it quite funny and suggested that we should definitely make Rio in 5 to 10 days. We cheekily asked him for a tow and he
declined, which we knew he had to do. But it offered us some light amusement for a few minutes.

We swam a bit but it was difficult as there was more blue bottles in the water than the previous day and they seem to be attracted by the splashing.
The late afternoon could not come soon enough but until the sun is low in the sky it does not seem to lose its heat.
Warwick made a tuna pasta for dinner. Mike and I shared the last piece of steak with bacon and eggs.
We were hoping that we would get an evening breeze but it did not arrive as planned. It was not until 9pm than sudden we got a system and went from nothing to 7 kts.
All seven of us were standing behind the helm shouting with joy and relief. After a good half hour it settled back to 4 to 5 kts for the rest of the night.
Relieved .. Till tomorrow.

Position [22 33 S 34 59 W]

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