From: OmanTri
Date: 24/032009 02:28:18
To: update
Subject: Tuesday 24th

Distance to finish 350nm

Well we did get the wind , and it did come from a good (good enough)
direction, and as predicted the DTF is around 350nm – had some great sailing
with some bursts to 23kts, and in the last 6-8 hours we have had a swell
pushing us along as well – we sit quite happily at 16kts, then surf little
into the 20s Full mainsail, and gennaker. We had to gybe in the night to
keep away from a tug and barge – we could only really see the lights – not
the true outline of what was being towed, but it was big. Then just before
sunrise today we have a cargo ship heading for Ras Al Hadd – the same as
us – he was motoring on the direct course at 23 kts, we were 30 degrees
higher, and only marginally slower.

We should see the coast soon we are 20nm off a headland at the moment, and
may gybe back to the North soon to take advantage of the sea breeze – for
this we’ll need to be fairly close inshore, so will get a good view of oman
for the rest of the day i’d guess – Mohsin will be happy.

After such a long time without wind or waves we are all a bit clumsey on
deck, banging into things and each other as the boat lurches from oneside
to the other. It just goes to show how you loose the knack really quickly,
of staying upright, and all the old hand holds need to be found again.
Sleeping becomes a bit more of a challenge – more noise, more movement, and
not as much air through the boat as the front sail locker hatch is closed to
prevent the occasional wave that can appear from no where.

It’s great to be on fire again making miles in the right direction, and the
chat on board is back again, talking about finishing, about what’s next. We
are SO looking forward to seeing everyone, its hard to contain the
excitement. But we’ll manage for another day – by which time ( tomorrows
update – put a note in your diary!) we should be at ‘The Corner’ the much
talked about turning point of our trip, into the final 100nm up the coast
to Muscat. Ras Al Hadd was a bit turning point for us on the delivery trip
from UK to Oman last autumn, and it will be again. We have just crossed the
path of the delivery trip – so at least mobi knows the way home now – what a
difference between those two trips, now full main gennaker 20kts wind, up
to 20 kts boatspeed, where as on the delivery 4 kts headwinds, and 7kts
under engine.

Anyway we are gonig to enjoy these last few miles, and the simplicity of
life at sea, before it goes crazy and we have a sensor overload arrivig in
muscat – we can almost hear, smell, and taste it – nearly but not quite.