Hello Everybody,

Well this has certainly been a quiet blog. As Dai explained yesterday, our hands really have been kept full just keeping the boat moving in the right direction, analysing the weather charts, and trying to avoid the worst of the weather. To a large degree we have been successful in this.. Add in some time for sleeping and eating, and there is not much time left for blogging.

 

Anyway, here we are, decision made, and, as usual for this trip, we are trying to get to a certain point before the next weather system overtakes us. We wanted to come South to avoid high winds, and come South we did. Now our route North is blocked by another depression, so our choice of destination is now the Azores, the island of Flores. Today is Wednesday, and a warm sunny day sees us making good progress. Only 330 miles to go, that’s 2 1/2 days at this speed. Only problem is (yes, you knew there would be a problem) some strong head winds will overtake us tomorrow night or Friday, making the last 24 hours challenging.

 

But the good news – I have always wanted to go to the Azores, but have never had the opportunity. Dai and I have reminded ourselves that that this is not supposed to be a survival exercise, but a cruise! So we plan to spend a few days in the Azores group of islands, hopefully visiting Horta on Faial. Again this s a place that has long been on my “to visit” list.

 

Then I think I will have to abandon Dai and the good ship Catryn, as I will have run out of time (not quite fully retired), and fly back to the UK via Lisbon. Dai’s plans? He has a number of options which I’m sure he will explain in his next blog.

 

Attention my friend Pete the Pilot from Welshpool. Thanks for the Royal Navy’s Rum Cocktail recipe, but you are right, we do not have all the ingredients on board. It would have been good to se you and your little girl in Aberdovey, but the Azores can be quite good at this time of the year!!

 

Actually out Pilot book states that:

 

“almost without exception, mariners who visit the Azores comment that they wish they had more time available to stay longer”.

 

Hopefully my next blog will be from there, confirming the above statement.

 

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading this somewhat boring blog.

 

By the way, I forgot one bit of fascinating information. On Saturday morning the SEA temperature was 6 degrees C. This morning it is 24.8 C. That’s arise of 16.8 C in 4 days. Well I think it’s fascinating anyway!

 

Best Wishes to all

Pete