Position Horta Marina

Wednesday 3^rd June

Well, here we are on Wednesday and departure should be imminent. We had planned to set out yesterday, but a final check up the mast revealed an intermediate shroud that had decided to shed a number of strands at the top T fitting. Better found now than three days out, and even better now than in the middle of the ocean a couple of weeks ago. The rigger had been booked in any case to refix a loose sheave, so he rapidly sorted a Norseman fitting, and within a couple of hours it as reattached and tightened up. Rigger Clive is due to reappear around ten this morning to finally check the rig tension, and then we should be good to go. Interestingly, he said that eight boats have arrived here minus masts this season, some sort of record. For the first time in several days there’s some real sunshine this morning, and Horta looks totally different. A number of boats left yesterday, and a load more look set to depart today. It looks like we’ll stop off in Northern Spain, as the departing weather system will set us that way. The Biscay crossing will then depend on an appropriate weather window, but all can change.

A few more snaps of windy Faial and stalwart swimmers