Trade winds and waxing moon

18 47,4 N021 27,1 W4.8 ktsIt's been already 5 days since we left Tenerife. While we were preparingthe departure all of a sudden the wind picked up from the NE so we couldsail the Europa without the use of engines out of the port. Till now wedid not have to use the engines and looking at the forecast it will staylike that.Tonight is the first calm night we have. Especially the three days afterleaving Tenerife the trade winds were powerful. Sometimes even up to 34knots. The sailing circumstances were not always easy for the new voyagecrew to steer in. The wind and wave combination made Europa roll a lotand steering by compass was a challenge. The challenge got bigger assoon as it got dark. The trick of steering by compass, in day or nighttime, is to not only focus on the compass itself. Take a point at thehorizon or sky to steer by works way easier. Of course in the daytimethat is less complicated then in a very dark night.Lucky as we are the new moon started to wax since we left Tenerife andat present moment she lights the sky for a big part of the night. Gentlyrolling and accompanied by the moon we are sailing on into the directionof Sal.Janke