Position                12:13.51 N 030:11.38 W

Date                     2359 (UTC) Thursday 02 March 2017

Distance run          in 24hrs 144nm over the ground, 142nm through the water

Passage total         1,583nm over the ground, 1,502nm through the water

Distance to go       2,149nm

Planned distance    Ascension to the Azores west around the high 3,666nm

(Yesterday's passage total should read 1,439 and not 1,429)

 

Flying fish blocks scupper - not a problem generally encountered when sailing in the English Channel, or it was not before the effects of global warning.  The clues were the tail sticking out and the deck hatch well overflowing.  Fortunately it had not been there long so came out in one piece.  Today definitely falls into the category of wet and windy with a rising swell from the north.  It follows the forecast seen from the GRIB's and from our excellent weather routing friend Alex who continues to supply comprehensive weather and routing information.  To prepare for the night we put a third reef in the genoa and main.  This leaves us somewhat under sailed for some of the time but copes well with the periods of higher winds; we are seeing up to 28 to 30 knots for extended periods, dropping back to 20 knots in lulls.  The boat movement is lively and moving about has to be done with care to avoid physical damage.  For dinner, seafood pasta bake from the freezer which after a blip appears to be working as it should.