27:28N  046:29W

The last 36 hours have presented us with a pattern of high winds, high seas and heavy rain.  Fortunately, the Weather Gods appear to have relented and since sunset yesterday (obscured) we have been making good progress in gradually improving conditions.  Right now, we are on a close reach with one reef in the mainsail, four in the genoa and a boat speed of just under 8 knots.  We have 1200 miles to run to Punta Delgada and have covered 1400 miles since leaving Jolly Harbour last Saturday afternoon.  In the last 24 hours, despite deliberately slowing down twice in the worst of the weather, we have sailed 156 nautical miles – not too bad then!

I’m lucky to be in such a well found boat with such experienced and pragmatic crew as Tom and Ed.  It’s all a bit damp and salty below decks, but with luck we’ll be able to dry out and clean up a bit over the next few days.

We have no new defects and morale remains high.

Richard, Ed and Tom