Our position at 12 00 on 17 June is 35:39.2N 058:41.6W . We have about 1448 nm to run to Horta in the Azores and we have completed about 128 nm in the last day. Three full days completed.

 

June 16 – We seem to be settling into a pattern here. Pleasant reaches during the day time with little bits of drama during the night as the wind seems to exercise itself a  bit.

 

June 17 – last night everything looks so benign we left everything out and said to Norm call if you need me. When the call finally comes I arrive on deck with Norm grimly hanging hanging onto the wheel in the teeth of a gale and I’m running around on deck dropping the mizen, reefing the main and finally taking in a bit of head sail. Peace and normality returns.

 

We haven’t had any real rain so far, so I thought we were going to get our share early this morning. The swell had built up overnight and a black cloud to the north was heading our way. Even this failed to produce anything and just dissipated.

 

Last night we saw a ship, the first since leaving Bermuda. When we left Bermuda we were in the company of three other yachts all bound for the Azores we believe. Two took a southerly route, the other plus us headed for a more northerly route. Where the others are all now is anyone’s guess. It doesn’t take long for four small yachts to disappear within the vastness of the ocean.

 

The temperatures in Bermuda were in the high 20s and lower 20s at night out at sea the night time temperatures are starting to get that temperate feel. Jackets and for Norm long trousers have been normal wear for the night watches.  We haven’t broken ot the serious waterproofs yet. No doubt that time will come as we track further north.

 

Life on board is fairly mundane and its difficult to keep yourself occupied other that reading, cooking and sleeping, I guess sailing the boat should be included somewhere. Occasionally there are jobs to do that pass the time. I’m having another go at the astro navigation. On the passages this year I have a decent sextant which makes it a lot easier to get good readings. Its slogging through all the maths which is a bit of  bind. However, I have been getting decent results from noon sights. This gives you a latitude easily. It also gives you longitude but you need the exact time when the sun is at its highest. That’s not easy as the angle of the sun is changing slowly at that time and it not possible to pin point the exact time. Better to measure and altitude say 1.5hrs before noon then measure the exact time to get the same angle as the sun is falling. Mid way between the two times is the local midday. Knowing this time referenced to GMT and applying a few correction factors it is possible to determine longitude. I guess this will all come in useful when the chart plotter packs in and the spare hand held GPS also packs in.

 

As I write we,re being chased around by passing rain clouds. These affect the wind locally usually increasing the speed and changing the angle so it not unusual to see RT heading off at a tangent. These changes are usually temporary so its a decision to let her do what she wants or try to control her.

 

I’ve just had to replace one of the new control lines on Monica after only three days of use. The outer sheath had worn completely through. Luckily the old lines are still just about OK as replcements.