On the move again..slowly!

Well we eventually nurdled 97 miles closer to St H yesterday, but
sailed 131miles using every sail in the boat to do so! Picked up a
little more wind this morning, now in the 12-17kn range. Have gybed to
our least productive port tack, where we only make good 4 out of every
6.5miles. We will stay on this leg for about another six hour before
gybing onto stb tack, which should be a bit more productive! We have
just enjoyed a rump steak, pepper sauce , and brilliant fresh green
salad, for lunch. The sun remains illusive, but otherwise lts a lovely
day! We are in pos 17.53S,2.44W, on a course 275, with the island
exactly 202nm away on a bearing of 330 degs. Who knows when we will
get there? All depends on the winds. Talking of which, I had always
imagined the trades to be relatively consistant. Far from it! The
direction is constantly changing, together with the wind strenghths.
This makes balancing the sails to suit Fred quite a challenge! For
example the wind might be 22kn on a stb broad reach. It will then drop
to 9 kn , and back 20deg to come from the stern, putting Fred ,sails
etc into a tailspin!Five minute later, it buids up to 20 again and
veers back again.Its been like this for the last 5 days , so we are
beginning to think its normal!
We are certainly learning what Sheer Tenacity likes, and does
not like! Like most boats I suppose, she HATEs running dead downwind.
Rocks and rolls like a metronome! We have promised her no more
running! Might have something to do with our need to sleep? Looking
forward to making landfallnow, but am avoiding making any serious
plans or predictions! If we have a choice ,it will be to arrive in the
morning , so am keeping fingers crossed that the wind will play ball,
and allow us a dignified arrival on Tuesday!If needs be , we will
stand off rather than arrive at night. Although its still nearly full
moon, the cloud cover makes it all pretty dark! More later!