45.13.00N 9.31.00W

Entering the Bay of Biscay, it was reassuring to see that global trade remains alive and well as we played cat and mouse between Messrs Grimaldi and MSC supermax container ships.  Despite their inhabited-island size, hailing them resulted in an alert response from their bridge and demonstration of these leviathan’s agility to alter course for the meagre stand-on vessel with its spinnaker aloft again. 

We made good speed all day and enjoyed plenty of playful visits from dolphins torpedoing towards and alongside us.

We’re pretty sure we’ve seen our first pair of orcas, significantly larger than their porpoise cousins, passing astern but wholly disinterested (thankfully).  Watches were punctuated by amazing gourmet meals from the galley – abeam Nantes it seemed fitting to be eating casserole de saucisson avec Puy lentils.

Still making 6.6 kts SSW, the stunning sunset was followed by a starry night, mirroring the phosphorescence and twinkling plankton in our wake.

Nick