Location: 32° 22 0 N, 64° 29 6 W
Sunday 12:00, 04.09.2006

At noon Sunday we were at 32° 22 N, 64° 29.6 W, or about 10 miles SE of Bermuda. We got underway today at 10h30 from Capt Smokes. We probably surprised onlookers by doing two 360 degree turns right off the dock to calibrate our electronic compass.

The wind is fresh (15-25 knots) from the south. We got our main up with one reef and full jib up in the harbor and sailed out of the Town Cut for the fun of it.

We are close hauled on the starboard tack, heading about 110 degrees at seven knots. Seas are 7-8 feet and somewhat confused. Antigua is about 920 nautical miles away on a heading of about 185 degrees.

Most sailors instinct would be to tack and head more for Antigua, rather than Easting, but a glimpse at the weather pattern will show our strategy. (See www.weather.bm/maps/chart2.jpg). We are trying to stay ahead of the cold front and get east into the Easterly winds. Our plan is to stay on starboard until we are really headed and then tack for Antigua. In a day we hope to be on a comfortable beam reach on port, charging along, catching fish for our dinner!

The time in Bermuda was well spent. A very friendly town, and lots of work accomplished, both fix up and improve.

All is well.