14:05.57N 54:37.8W

Monday 14th December 2010

Well since the last blog the wind and sea has calmed down a lot.  The wind has reduced but with less waves we are still making good speed.  We have had a few worrying lulls but are currently doing 7 knots in 20 knots of breeze.  For 5 days in a row we have had daily runs of 150 to 163 miles implying average speeds of 6.3 – 6.8 knots, however, as we don’t go in a particularly straight line due to the sea state and wind shifts we have probably averaged a knot more than that.

We have also finally been able to open the hatches and let some air into the boat!

We have 370nm to go and still have good wind but the boats ahead were reporting winds of only 4-8 knots this morning.  We have calculated that we have enough diesel to motor for about 280 miles so just need the wind to stay until mid day tomorrow and we will be OK and can still make it for the 16th.  Hopefully we won’t need to motor for that long but as we just want to get there now will if we have to.

We have started passing close to more boats now and have been able to chat on the VHF again.  Chatting to Catou, a Malo 39 we met in Las Palmas, they have had a rough time and the other day were knocked over 90 degrees by a big wave soaking them and much of their stuff down below.  They have also had quite a few other problems with their yacht so we have been very lucky. 

We managed to mend the spinnaker snuffer today in case we need it when the winds go light, we have tightened the screws on the Hydrovane after it started making clunking noises and tightened a screw in the wind generator before it took off.  Nothing too major.

Anyway fingers crossed only 3 days to go!!!