We’ve had a great morning messing about with the sails, tacking across the 11 mile span between Benodet and Concarneau.  As with everything, there is much to learn and instruments to finely calibrate, but it was very satisfying to sail to windward at 38 degrees at 6.5 knots in 9 knots of wind.  With so many books, shoes and too much wine on the boat we benefitted from just a few more knots of breeze to give us 8.3 knots in 12 knots of wind.  There seems to be a lot of drive from the genoa.  I am looking forward to Ben, our Production Director, joining us for the trip to the Azores, as he knows everything there is to know about sail setting.

It seems a long time since we relinquished our home and moved on to the boat on 22^nd March, It must have been hard for all the Discovery Team who had a busy schedule completing all the lists we kept creating and adding to.  Life on board had to carry on, but it was surreal standing in the saloon ironing shirts, whilst all around, as if in some well choreographed dance, guys were wiring things in, checking equipment and systems and loading extra gear.  They were all very good-humoured about it and took it in their stride.  For all that, it’s very nice now to be able to lie in bed in the morning and not feel guilty about it!

It’s hard to believe that it’s only eight days that we set off.  We are learning more about the boat every day – there are so many manuals to read!  Not known for enjoying DIY, John has nevertheless rigged up a hook on the end of a long pole.  It clasps shut when you pull back on the rope to which it is attached, and has proved a very good way to get the first rope attached to shore whilst still on deck.  Today it was invaluable when mooring in a very tight marina in Concarneau with the wind blowing us off the pontoon.