After a difficult day with setting up bits and pieces for the boat we finally left Cascais at about 8 PM local time. It was dark then, and we had to rely heavily on the on-board instruments. Thanks god for Raymarine. TNT in Portugal let us down badly with the delivery of the replacement VHF aerial so we left later than we wanted. James and then Emily had to go up the mast using the bosons chair – rather them than me.

We have now been going for about 12 hours and have covered 75 nautical miles.

As we are heading away from the wind and the boat is loaded with much of the gear required for the ARC, there is a constant cork screw or rolling motion. Wind is about force 4 but it is sunny and no clouds in the sky. The wind is 14 knots from NE and means you need a jumper on, on deck. High factor sun cream also required. I had my first sea sickness tablets last night and missed dinner. I cooked it, but couldn’t eat it. The motion in the cabin made me feel ill, so Dave finished it off. They had rice with chicken, green peppers and onions and finished with a tin of tomatoes. The most we can do on a two ring stove.

James has started fishing use a lure he bought on the Isle of Weight. So far no luck. James and Dave had both had cereal for breakfast, I just had coffee. Emily is still asleep.

Last night was fairly eventful with a 3 hour watch system being organised. Dave took the first 3 hour watch, then me and James, and then Emily. During Emily’s watch she had to tack to avoid some shipping. We also had a problem with water coming into the boat. We think that the bilge pumps are blocked, and the previous owner had some unusual pluming installed in the forward head. So water can come in if you open the valves incorrectly. At one point we turned back fearing there was a major problem as the in the middle of the night the main cabin became awash with water. However, we soon worked it out and were back on course.

We are steering 200 degrees when we should ideally be on 207. Not far off the ideal, but the wind prevents the boat from achieving the ideal course. We still estimate 5 days for the voyage so should be in Gran Caneria on schedule.

Stephen