We logged a solid 123 miles with the spinnaker keeping us moving through the night despite lighter airs than we’d like. The forecast is for these conditions to continue for at least the next day or so but we hope then to pick up some more breeze to take us in towards the Azores.

Note on measurement: our actual distances run are perhaps 7% to 10% more than logged. The discrepancy arises because when we go onto the SSB radio each afternoon to get our forecast, all electrical systems are shut down to make transmission and reception as clear as possible. It’s often difficult to be heard on, and/or to hear, a short-wave signal that’s bounced around the world from Toronto.

We’ve begun to talk about when we might reach our destination of Horta. With conditions so variable it’s very hard to predict, but we’re hoping that perhaps a landfall on 12th June is achievable. Much as we’ve enjoyed – and continue to enjoy – this adventure, we’re all eager to see land and loved ones again.

Our friends the dolphins are showing up regularly. Most recently they were out last night, revealed by sudden trails of phosphorescence as they surged under or past Neroli – a lovely and exciting sight.

With the movement of the boat still very comfortable we’re taking the opportunity to take care of some maintenance and cleanup tasks. Drying washing once more adorns Neroli’s guard rails. Each day we reach one or two more “lasts”, today’s being lettuce and pineapple.

The picture shows Allan about two hours into what Astro-Navigator Paddy described in yesterday's blog as the “one or two simple calculations from easy-to-use tables” needed to get a position from a sun-sight.