Left Barcelona @ 0600 this morning, cool day here but got better with the sun up. Water temperature is 60+ F so it feels cooler. About 3 hours out we hit a squall that brought us 35 MPH winds and some interesting 4 meter swells. My two girls who are along for the ride to the Canary Is were both a little sea sick but the squall only lasted 3.5 hours and it's been smooth since. It's 2000 (8:30PM) here now and we can see the lights of Mallorca off the port stern.

Should reach Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 4 more days where we will play in the sand and ride & walk up to the top the volcano where if it's not crowded I plan to get a stereo BBBJTCIM.

The yacht handles beautifully , that according to my Captain, I've been too busy taking care of 2 pussies to care about sailing. I will need to get with it as I have the 0200 to 0400 helm watch will probably be passing the Strait of Gibraltar on my watch or not if the wind falls below 20 Knots. That area is pretty busy with commercial traffic and I will be on a keen lookout for the big boys as they don't seem to care even a little about running over us. LOL

After a week or 10 days at and around the Canary's and an exchange of girls we will be headed for Cape Verde Is and a week there visiting several of the Islands. After that St Helena, Ascension Is then to Rio- About 3 months including cruising,and 6 "helpers" total-- hopefully we can average 15 knots but that of course is dependent on the wind and currents. My Captain says it should be an easy passage. I plan to spend 30-60 days in Rio and Sao Paulo depending on availability of marina space in Rio. I notified my contact in Rio and he said he'd have a great line up of new girls for me when I arrive. Can't get the smile off my face thinking about that!

So I will be reporting my mongering once we are in the Canary Is where there are a few HDHs available.