It’s the other Peter here.

We are now 30 hours out from Lagos and life and the sea have calmed down.  My test for flat calm is now whether it is possible to use the espresso machine - a lovely cup this afternoon without a drop spilt.  After an unsuccessful attempt to deploy the ParaSailor we had to motor for 3 hours this afternoon, but now we’re back under sail cruising along gentle at around 5 knots.

Luckily, prior to departure, Peter was ‘happy’ to go up the mast to change the tricolour bulb - as you can see he looks quite cheerful, although it’s a long way to the top!!!

We have eaten well over the last 2 days with a stew, which I prepared before departure, and which Peter converted into a curry for tonight’s meal.  We are still puzzling over the potatoes - are they so well stowed that we can’t find them or did we forget to buy them - either way it looks like we will have to adjust our cooking plans for a potato free week. 

This afternoon we deployed the fishing line for the first time and maybe that will give us some extra food for our journey.  We are all a bit apprehensive about what to do if or when we catch a fish.  There is no shortage of advice on the web but in the real world it might not be quite so easy.

The highlight of the day was the dolphin visits.  The second time they stayed with us for about 10 minutes.  The pictures tell the story better than I can.

We are now 280 miles from our first port of call, Porto Santo.  How long that will take is unclear as the wind is forecast to drop further.  But for now I’ll just sit back and enjoy the sunset while the the wave gentle rock Gary to sleep.

Peter Newland