Fw: Blog 31st May 2010

Nightsong
Mon 31 May 2010 17:00
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 2:39 PM
Subject: Blog 31st May 2010

Dear Blog
 
Noon position 38.24N 31.48W - a run of 117 miles since midday yesterday mostly under engine at severely reduced revs.still we are due south of the first Azores island Flores (alas will not see) and 148 miles from Horta.
 
We should be in by tomorrow morning if the present NE4/5 lasts or the forecast SW forecast 5 appears overnight - a voyage of 13 days. Terrible weather again today - raining cats and dogs and no visibility. David has not been able to do a noon sight since 22nd May - 9 days ago - and we have not seen the sun for about 4 days. Certainly this is easily the toughest leg of the Atlantic round. We have had 1 x full gale, 2 near gales, 2 long beats into a force 5, 3 days becalmed (only for 1.5 of which we have been able to slowly motor), only 2 days sunny reaching at the start and appalling rainy weather for most of rest of the trip. Still we have nearly achieved it - see Atlantic chart below
 
 
Sadly I have lost the record on the chart plotter of our daily positions for the ARC itself (tho I must put them on from the ship's log).. Final approx 1000 mile leg to mainland Europe in the next couple of weeks depending on the weather - hopefully June will bring something better than this!
 
Just about got enough food to eat. W are all looking forward to a meal ashore tomorrow night
 
AJB    31st May 2010