Today has been a frustrating day with slugs of wind requiring the mainsail to be reefed but in between calm and light head winds. This evening the wind has filled in as forecast and we are now finally making 7 knots on course for the southern end of the ice belt.
The good news - the hydraulic autopilot appears to be working. The less good news is that the weaker autopilot has again stopped working. Also slightly worrying are the mixed messages coming from the charging systems. They say the battery power is low but the high power alternator thinks the batteries are full and is not pumping any charge into them. Voltages are however good, consistent with charged batteries so not sure if I am worrying unneccessarily. Currently I am flush with diesel so I am charging the batteries anyway just to be sure as I do not want a total electrical failure!
It has now turned into a lovely evening and I am about to cook dinner - beef stew tonight!
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Dear Mr Falla Did you manage
Dear Mr Falla
Did you manage to get any more sleep? Is it very cold getting near the ice bergs. Are you a little scared of coming into the ice fields? How close are you now to America?
Have a good weekend sail, we will catch up with you on Monday.
Love from
Mary-Kate and Upper Prep
Dear Mary-Kate and Upper
Dear Mary-Kate and Upper Prep
No, I am not cold yet. This is a strange part of the world. Where I was this morning the water was 16 degrees which helps to keep me warm, where I am now now the water is only 7 degrees and as I get towards America it will get even colder hence I suspect I will need to put more woollies on as I get closer to America. I have charts that show me where the ice is so I can avoid the ice bergs. The nearest land is Canada which is 390 miles. America is 1,000 miles and Newport, the finish, is 1,200 miles away.
Love from John Falla