Anyone who says there’s lots of spare time on a long passage has never done one! Thanks to Wendy Jane, I’m finally catching up on our blog - though you can also find an abbreviated version on the World Cruising Club website.

An excellent send off from L pontoon including vikings brandishing palms, a saxophonist and a cacophony of boat horns! The gathered crowd were glad to finally see the back of us!!

Departing late afternoon to the north of Gran Canaria as the wind to the south was looking decidedly iffy. Travelling north before turning west and motoring into a good F4 gave a pretty uncomfortable motion.

“I’ve never suffered from sea sickness”! Buoyed up mood quickly dashed out of port when reality of Atlantic brought the entire crew down with sea sickness! Only one crew member (and Suzanna - of whom more anon) ) could stomach food. Ginger root tablets and mint tea (from our on board herb garden) put paid to most ailments.

Finally turned engine off at 2035 and shot off under reefed sails.

Never managed to repair the generator, so we have a Honda powered generator from the local B&Q equivalent lashed down on the foredeck.