Enroute To Ecuador, May 19th,2008

Here we are, past the halfway as far as mileage is concerned... the hours could be quite a different matter! We have had a favourable current, or no current at all so far. That is good news for us "slug-boats"! However, once we hit the Humboldt Current we will be fighting a 2 kt. current, if we are the same as everyone else. We have probably only sailed 7 hours since leaving Costa Rica.
Yesterday kind of runs into the day before, and then into today...all a blur when you're having so much fun! We hit quite a large storm cell, with an amazing amount of rain, but no lightning, thank goodness! It took us about 2+ hours to cross it as we progressed south and it progressed north. It would have been a good wash down for Fortuitous if it weren't for the seas that occasionally broke over the foredeck. We haul in all the cushions and sit on two small ones under the dodger. We still get dripped/rained on, but at least it's warm rain.
Water and air temperatures are dropping as we get closer to the Equator and Ecuador. That does seem strange, but it's the current coming up the coast of South America that brings the cooler temps. Today I took a shower...imagine trying to shower in one of those "tilt-a-whirl rides in a fair ground. I finally accomplished it by sitting on the toilet, rather than standing...I know, too much information here! Also, we had the sail up (motor sailing) and were heeled to port. Of course, the drain is on the starboard side. Ralph headed Fortuitous in the wrong direction to help the water drain out the drain rather than out the door. All the conveniences of home!!
Zephyrus is now more than 25 miles behind us as they can't motor as fast nor plow through the waves the way Fortuitous can. However, looking at needing a high tide arrival, in Bahia Caraquez, we will both probably show up at the same time. We will have to slow down eventually, but the current will probably take care of that for us.

Today we have a large bird (albatross??) resting on our davits. Can't quite remember all of the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner..so don't remember if they are good luck or bad?? I'm going with the former...don't email me otherwise!!! He has a large brown/grey body and has a blue beak and eyes/eye-lids. His beak is pink where it meets feathers. Actually, he's kinda creepy looking...but he's bringing us good luck!



As of 8 am:
Lat:03 29 North
Long: 082 29 West
Distance made good: 105 nm
Distance remaining: 263 nm