Sunday Island – Mindelo Cp Verde to Bequae Caribbean Day 2

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> Sailing well towards Caribbean. Wind is 20kts ENE giving us a true wind angle of 150 degrees. Average speed is 6.5kts through the water, assisted by 0.5kts of current, giving us an average speed over ground of 7kts and a 148nm days run. We download a daily GRIB file and MSL weather fax to keep an eye on the weather. It looks like the north atlantic high is getting pushed around again by the constant lows. Normally the North Atlantic High is settled by this time of year, but the extreme weather in the far north atlantic is altering the usual weather systems. We have adjusted our course to sail south of the rhumb line to avoid the unsettled winds closer to the Caribbean. >
> Business as usual onboard with Emilie keeping the 6-12 watch and Me the 12 – 6 watch. Emilie does school with the kids in the morning and we read and play games for the rest of the day. Today the kids are building a city out of leggo that appears to take up the entire interior of Sunday Island! It keeps them entertained and using their imagination. >
> We have blue tacked the North Atlantic Planning Chart to the forward bulkhead of the saloon. I have plotted our track over the past year on this chart and every day at noon I plot our position with the kids and we discuss the different locations of the chart, latitude, longitude and compass. It is a great geography lesson. >
> Peter the Aeries wind vane is back on the helm. The course is not as precise as using the B&G Auto Pilot but it saves a lot of power. Our solar setup with the Renogy flexible panels is not ideal, and we are only getting 120W out of 3 x 175w panels. I selected the Renogy flexible panels because they had reasonable reviews and great price, but I will not use flexible panels again, the amount of power generated is pathetic compared to fixed glass panels. This and our engine alternator will need to be upgrades in the future if we are to be sustainable, because at the moment we are running the engine for four hours per day to keep the boat charged. The price we pay for creature comforts such as a water maker and freezer! We are always very careful with our power and water usage, and it makes you realise how much power is consumed and wasted in the average house where aircon, heating and lights are left on and a huge two door fridge / freezer and flat screen TV and 10 minute hot showers is the norm! >
> The luminescence and stars last night were amazing. Whilst it was a new moon, there was still ample light on deck from the stars alone! Dolphins swam around the boat last night showing their luminescent trails, and there was a light show around every clump of sea weed. Even the toilet lights up when flushed. Truly spectacular. >