We're still romping along on the trade winds. Near the African coast there were a lot of sea birds, most I don't recognise and I wish my ornotholist friend Catherine was here. Some look like European species, gannets, terns and gulls yet slightly different African cousins. We also have had some spectacular displays of bioluminescence. Last night the dolphins were jetting through the water next to us, creating silver trails of light. They must be able to do spectacular turns of speed. We were doing 13-15 knots, yet they effortlessly shot past us, occasionally leaping high in the air. We speculated on why they follow sailing ships. They probably hope we're off to rich fishing grounds and wouldn't believe us if we said we were just out on the ocean for the pleasure of it!
The dolphins were with us again tonight, but the only thing that gives them away is a soft "whomping" noise as they jump clear of the water. The bioluminescence from the back of the boat was particularly intriguing. Not just the usual little green sparks, but large round glowing balls of fire would occasionally light up at the transom and spin away behind us. Quite a show!
The moon is waning and I realise that we will have seen a full lunar cycle before making landfall. Also, tonight a complete barrage of flying fish rained down on the boat. One hit a surprised Brian in the head (I told him it was lucky) and a very surprised Kiki met one face to face when she crawled under the traveller and one of our winged friends was coming the other way. He'd obviously read the safety SOPs and knew to go under the traveller not to try and fly over it! Kiki shrieked, she wasn't really expecting a slimy creature to hit her in the face, and we'd been treated to showers earlier in the day - the aroma of fish is no better than the pong that is starting to build up down below!
It is also becoming very humid now. The sky was covered with a heat haze, and I expect rain before long. The other boats are occasionally showing on AIS. I believe it's due to VHF ducting that allows the signal to travel a long way, like a mirage. Why Imagine your Korea had chosen to go so north I am not sure, but I can see Zhuhai hot on our tail so we are not easing off for a minute. The rest of the fleet seems to be following the wind which is taking everyone out toward the scoring gate and then on to the Cape Verde islands. It's a place I've always wanted to visit, but I guess not on this trip!
We had a strange interaction on the radio last night. A fisherman perhaps, radio-ing us with some incoherent half-English half-French babble. I guess long lonely nights out here might send anyone loopy, but we are keeping a close eye out for small unlit boats.