Noon position 34 59N, 14 43W. Day’s run 159.2. Av speed 6.6k. Yesterday was a good day’s sailing but the wind gods deserted us at around 2200 hours yesterday and have left us with a wind speed of between 10 and 12 knots, which is our ‘sail clatter’ speed and so we have had the iron jib at work since then. Andy spotted some whales yesterday which we think we minkie whales, and we continue to get the odd bird resting on the boat.

One of our number has found a spear gun on the boat and has developed a morbid fascination for it, with threats of great marine carnage between here and Bermuda. Thanks goodness it doesn’t appear to  be functioning!

An easy day in the sun today, although we did try to fly the cruising chute earlier to see if we had managed to clear the knots in the snuffer but unfortunately there are several still remaining within it. ETA Funchal is 0200 Saturday morning.