Puerto Rico to Mindelo - day 1

We have started our 7 days sail from Puerto Rico to Mindelo, Cabo Verde.
Distance is approx 840 nautical miles.

After having filled the boat with foods, long life milk, ice tea, large bottles of drinking water.
we sailed from Las Palmas to Puerto Rico on the southwest side of Gran Canaria.
We went there to meet friends who were on holidays away from cold Norway.
We had a great night out on one of the many restaurants found in the town.

Next morning we set off after having topped up with fresh water and diesel.
We departed the 20th January at 1030Z and we hope to arrive in Mindelo around noon the 27th.

First 5 hrs we had calm weather and nearly no sailing wind.
That changed as we got further out from GranCanaria and both wind and sea increased.
Wind went up to 20-25 knots gusting 30-35 at times. Sea was pretty choppy with breaking waves
coming in to the stern. Gradualy we also got swell on top of that. Speed increased from 4 to 7-8 knots and we made good progress.

When daylight arrived wind had clamed down to a few knots and sail speed dropped to 4 kts.
Sea likewise and we could have ourselves some well deserved sandwiches.
Sun is shinning temp is 26C and we are enjoying life sleeping/reading and reading/writing emails.
Will write more tomorrow.