Having sailed for 9 days without a squall—is this a record—we paid for it last night and this morning with an overcast sky, a number of squalls, albeit nothing too vicious, and a little rain. By noon it had all cleared and we sail in blue skies---but I can see clouds on the horizon and suspect we may have a repeat performance tonight! So a lot of reefing, unreefing etc.

However we are now moving at better speed—averaging around 8 knots over the last 24 hours---and beginning to think about when we might arrive---some 575 miles distant. But as ever, it depends on the wind!

We were joined by a guest last night---a large strange bird which decided our solar panel would make a good place for a sleep----it was off early morning, I guess looking for breakfast.

All is well on Simanderal. Lot of reading being done.