After the splendid run we did yesterday, it seems like today, despite enjoying another day of great sailing, it will not happen that we can beat the 240nm sailed during the last 24h. The wind started to ease down a bit, blowing from the NW between 20 to 25kn, just increasing close to the numerous small squalls that roam the area. The seas are also calming down and we keep a speed just over 9kn on a 065º course, starting to arc north-east towards Cape Town, devouring the last miles left to arrive.
The easing SW winds during the afternoon and the slight change in our course, now steering on a more north-easterly direction, were perfect to set studding sails. Before coffee time in the morning the 3 of them were set on starboard side and by midday the topgallant one on port side also comes up. No more were set yet as when we were rigging the upper port one we discover a crack in its yard. The quiet morning went on under sunny skies and sunshine, while many of us were involved in the setting of all those studding sails. The fair weather gave us also a chance to continue with the hands on navigation. Having sunny skies we decided to practice a measurement of the height of the Sun above the horizon with the sextant, taking in account the adequate corrections. Enthusiastic attendance made things go smooth and easy, also motivated due to the blue skies and good visibility. We walked to the forecastle deck and undertook our measurements. Some of us were very eager and interested to take the sights and from our measurements we could observe how the Sun was going up in the sky looking at the different data collected: 40°20' for Afik, 41°02' for Tal, 43°13' for Tarzis and so on.
Our fellow traveller and geologist Stella was kind enough to give a great talk related with her PhD subject, Geology of Tsunamis. The information given comes from her work on different international projects and institutes, related with the sedimentary deposits left behind after one of those catastrophic events. Studying those sediments we can gather information about pre-historical and historical events, about the magnitude and extension of such occurrences, and all can be used for a better risk assessment for the coastlines.