Noon position 16 05N, 35 18W, day’s run 156, DTG 1425. We are presently goose-winging our way to Barbados with the mizzen packed away as Steve thought it was interfering too much with the main and it looks as if he is right as it is not backing as much now.

On Monday the engine started and then dies off for no apparent reason. The on-board mechanic did some investigating and the diagnosis was contaminated fuel, and so on Tuesday Ian rigged a system to feed clean fuel into the engine and it worked fine. That left the job of pumping out the day tank and cleaning it, which is challenging enough when the boat is alongside, to be done in the Atlantic but Ian and I got stuck in and by 19.30 yesterday the engine started first time and ran as sweetly as I have ever heard it. Hence, no blog yesterday because everything was covered in diesel but well done Ian indeed!

Andy keeps on producing fine fare from the galley although our fresh food is fast coming to end end, both by consumption and going off.

Today has been a good “sail day” with wall-to-wall sunshine, which prompted Andy to say,”Is this the milk and honey run you’ve been promising us for eighteen weeks?”

Better late than never.