Moonshine rainbow

23 April 2019

Leaving São Miguel we first met a group of foraging dolphins. Then we got a goodbye of a Portugese naval helicopter hovering alongside the ship taking pictures. After leaving the lee of the island we could set sail. Unfortunately after a few hours of sailing the wind died, and we were on the engine for 36 hours. We also met two whales making a circle around the ship.

We got some wind again, however from the north east. To be back on sail we set a course to 135 degrees. We made good progress, but unfortunately not in the good direction… The wind from the north is considerably colder and creates sometimes fog and drizzle. In this drizzle last night we saw a moonshine rainbow. The light of the full moon reflected in the drizzle back of us creating a rainbow in the night sky with faint colours!

Yesterday the wind forecast showed an extended area with 40 knots gale winds that did not please us. The current forecast is more friendly with westerly winds ranging 10 – 30 knots. This will bring us to the Channel area within a few days. At the moment we are on engine again in the windshift from northeast wind to southwest winds. The search for westerly winds continues…