41:40.83N 8:53.82W

ALBA and her travels
Jim Panks
Wed 2 May 2012 09:06
Well finally we have had the sailing weather we deserve. A bit windy with gusts of 35 knots. But we are managing to average 6.8 knots with a top speed of 8.7 sorry that should be 9.6 as we have just beaten our best time ever. We have covered around 125 miles since 1315 yesterday and expect to crack the 150 knots a day. This is three times our poorest day and twice as much as our average day to date. We're just leaving Portugal and into Spain. Our expected leaving of the land for a few days is 2200 tonight. And if we get favourable winds it should get is into the channel by Saturday afternoon. Then it's about two days up the channel. Obviously you will be getting much more regular updates as we cruise past all the holiday makers hiding from the strong westerly winds we have ordered. Therefore the south, south east and east coasts are not going to be a nice place for sun bathing.

We have had lots of rain starting at 0400 this morning and we don't mind as long as the wind stays the same and gives us a quick crossing of the 'Bay'.

Nice bacon rolls in a minute and we will be set for another grulling day at sea in the North Atlantic.

We will update you again prior to leaving sight of land.

Best wishes from the motley crew of Alba.