Cloudy Triangle

Sailors are a funny bunch. They crave weather forecasts like stricken Romeos, getting quite forlorn when they don't have 'em to caress. But then when they do have their isobar charts and NOAA faxes to embrace, their love is fleeting and soon unrequited, as they know in their hearts that half the promises they read are never kept. So today we are happily surprised to find that the two-day old forecast effective for June 3, at 0800....actually is happening! By keeping west of lon 65 we dodged the wind hole to our starboard, and have been riding through the forecast boundary sitting roughly along lat 23 North, with the odd rain shower and even a couple of squalls. Most importantly we have had plenty of useful wind. So we are galloping along through the middle of the (fictional?) Bermuda triangle, and keeping cool under clouds and rain showers. Our second 24 hours ended at 0830 this morning, and the log showed another 151 nm day. Makes you wonder: is our odometer stuck on 151nm a day? So we are really happy to be up here a third of the way, and have had to run the engine only to charge the batteries. The batteries were down when we started: in The Spanish Virgins we had little wind for the wind generator, some clouds that shaded our solar panels; and we had pre-cooked ten meals and the reefer worked overtime freezing them. Talking of which, we ate first class last night with fresh Mahi Mahi gently braised in olive oil, butter and seasonings, rested and de-boned, then served in a white wine, mayonnaise and red pepper sauce, over farfalle with fried tomatoes: yummmmy! And talking of the Mahi, yes, we do have pics of Jim with his outstanding first offshore fish, which we will post here as soon as we have 'live' internet in Bermuda.
We are now sailing at 7+ knots with a double-reefed main, on a beat into the forecast NE 15 knot winds (20+ apparent), so the ride is a bit bumpier, even though the seas are only four feet. This morning Jim made us a lovely breakfast of fruits and cereals, and after this introductory galley job he was wondering how the devil dinner was produced last evening: but he is learning fast how to hang on with toes, knees and elbows!
Best, John Nancy and Jim
June 3, 2011 1120 AST 2333N 6601W and the sky is lifting!