Position: 38’00.95N, 032’43.21W

 

 

Serica is currently sprinting in the direction of Horta, as we make the most of the current South Westerly winds. The winds seem very gentlemanly compared to 36 hours ago, when a steady South East wind grew strong throughout the day only to veer sharply and intensify in the night. The wind had veered from SE to SW in a very short time frame and increased to force 8, creating very confused seas in the dead of night. There is very little light at the moment, as the moon rises and set before 2200 hrs, which relies on the person on watch to gauge the wave action and size by the motion of Serica. The sea was now being push from the SW, colliding with the waves which had built up during the day from the SE, creating waves double in height and frequency. It took nearly 12 hours for the storm to blow through before we could eventually got Serica under some kind of control, and get back on track for Horta.

 

We estimate that all going well, we should be in Horta by Thursday, that would mean at least another possible three days at sea. A quick stock check of our remaining provisions revealed we had four days rations left and ten days water. The skill now is how we can vary the menu of porridge and spam until we reach Horta? Bob is currently topping to competition on Serica for master chef, with his creation last night of egg fried rice, onion and peas (unfortunately our last!). Bob offered me popcorn when he woke me at 0300 for watch, but at the time of the morning, I had to decline, hot cup of fresh coffee would have been nice, but that will have to wait.

 

We’ve averaged less than 70 miles per day over the last 72 hours, but spirits are high, with the change of the wind Serica averaged 120 miles over the last 24 hours.