Day 10 - Azores to UK
Bonkers
Donald Macdonald
Tue 11 Jun 2024 17:21
What a difference 24 hours make. We kept sailing overnight although speed was down a little at times at just 2.5 knots. As the morning progressed the wind kept getting lighter and at 0915 the engine went on to help propel us along. Around midday a squall came in when John was on watch, the wind did a 360 and then a heavy long downpour with hail, also 4 waterspouts one of which avoiding action was taken as not sure what would happen if caught in it. Still under motor now, do expect to sail some of the night before the next no wind patch. We do need to keep the speed up as there is indication of a gale on Thursday coming up the English Channel. Present estimate from routing is we will be in Poole around 0800 Thursday a few hours before the strong wind arrive, it will be a close call. 183nm to go.
We are presently just skirting the Ushant traffic separation zone and have seen more ships in the last 6 hours than the rest of the Atlantic crossing. We need to try and keep up high so do not get caught with the ships coming from and going to the separation zone at the Casquets.
Wind just suddenly came up so stopped this blog to get sails set and switch engine off, now going faster than under engine at 6 knots.
Dinner tonight is lasagna, peas & carrots, cheese, baguette follwed by Metades de Pessego em calda.