50:04.6N 04:05.0W

Day’s run – 133 miles

Midday Wednesday - we are about 20 miles south of Plymouth and 30 miles away from Dartmouth but have not yet seen land! Last night we saw the Lizard Point light, 15 miles away, but today is grey with low cloud and a gentle following breeze. So we expect to reach Dartmouth early this evening, in time for supper ashore with Lou and family friends.

This morning we saw a naval type vessel behind us, then it lowered a small boat on a crane, and moments later we were boarded by three men from the UK Border Agency, all dressed in black dry suits, with boots and helmets to match.

Q - “When did the boat leave the UK?” A – “2001”

Q – “Where have you just come from?” A – “Portugal, well, The Azores”

It was all very courteous and professional, but thorough as well. Boats papers and passports were checked, with the details radioed back to the mother ship for a computer check, and meanwhile the cabin was inspected and various surfaces were wiped for traces of drugs and explosives, and the swabs sent back to the mother ship for analysis.

After an hour or so they were satisfied and went on their way. Apparently there are just five such teams patrolling the whole of UK and next year cut backs will reduce them to four.

Yesterday afternoon, for a moment touching 10 knots down the front of a wave.