45:39.287n 31:30.714w

Distance to home:  1328 miles

Distance run today:  126 miles  

Course 075

Your weather sounds awful, ours is a little better but our Caribbean tans are fading under lots of layers to stay warm.

Domestic

Tuna is lovely but it’s time for a change….Chicken curry tonight.

After being cooped up below to hide from rain and weather for much of yesterday, we are back in the cockpit in sunshine and a fresh breeze.  That said, a freak wave has just done it’s best to soak William.  He and the iphone that he was holding have survived.

Jez was on duty with the expresso maker this morning and served a beautifully prepared cup of hot water to the expectant crew.  Expresso maker’s work best if you add coffee grounds so it was back to the galley …

In the Transatlantic Rummy Championships Jez is holding the lead with 137 point margin over Wills in second place and Tim 90 points behind him.

Sailing

We have had strong northerlies since about 7pm yesterday.  They appeared out of nowhere and we are going well after a shakey start where we spent several hours heading for Greenland.

Our first ship in three days has just appeared on our port bow, ‘Independent Pursuit’ had a very pleasant chap on watch who was happy to supply us with some weather for the next 24 hours. We are happy to report that it’s more of the same, North Westerly 15-22 knots, slightly less tomorrow but this is keeping spirits high on board!

Natural History

Nothing new has been seen today.  But in the excitement of our whale yesterday we forgot to ask about our other sighting.  At the same time we saw the whale we had a fin cruising slowly past the boat.  Slow moving and waving from side to side, about 11 inches high, very thin almost slate like in colour and thickness but six inches front to back. Jez thinks it may be a shark but we have no real idea other than to discount dolphins. Any ideas?

Today’s responses

Richard – Thanks for news updates, great synopsis in 160 characters.  Bypassing Azores and heading towards home.

Ricky – Fishing starts again on the weekend, weather permitting.  Time yet for more catches. 

Stu – Thanks for update.  Hoping you get better weather for weekend riding.

Matthew – Great to hear from you and that enjoyed Auntie Jan’s cooking! No Sharks unfortunately but they’re on the list along with Blue Marlin! When will your mum be home? I know Luke has got his summer jam packed, what are your plans?

Emily – cracking result in your triathalon 5^th lady “come on”and  your new car  xxxxxxxxxxx

Jason – We smiled but several hours on Thirslet is a rite of passage for the east coast

yachtsman.  Green to port only applies in the America’s.  Glad that all turned out well.

Caitlin Herbert – Yep back to uni in Sept/Oct so yes that should work out well, plans for the summer consist of working and ballooning pretty much! Ah defo looking forward to a Herbert Barbie and some of Laura’s French cooking then! Haven’t played Chinese snap in ages….and are we all not over revs yet!?

Bye for now

Sadie