Horta to Brixham 1

 39:02.13N 24:09.28W

1^st July 2015

11,341 Miles Since leaving Ramsgate by log.

            Day 1               96 miles            15 hours all sailing

            Day 2               137 miles          All sailing

The arrival in Brixham lottery stands at:

            Paul                  9^th AM

            Norma             9^th PM

            Steve                10^th AM

            Jen                   11^th AM

            Adamant          11^th PM

Our first night out was a bit wild and windy,we departed Faial at 1630 cut down eastwards from Horta, passed Pico to the right and then sailed between the islands of Pico and Sao Jorge. By first light we had the island of Terceira astern of us and were heading just north of east and home. A last farewell from the Azores was a savage 39 knot blast of cold air as we got caught in the wind acceleration zone but Spectra lifted her skirts and we were soon crashing down waves at over 9 knots. As always the first night out was rubbish for getting any sleep. No one is tired enough and the creaks and groans of a yacht at sea have to be got used to all over again. Added to this I have picked up a bug and so I spent a fairly large portion of the night speaking into the big white telephone in the aft heads, not a pleasant night sail at all.

            Day two and I was in bed for most of it feeling sorry for myself as Spectra crashed along in a very lumpy sea. The forestay has come loose again but is still attached so no real drama. The thought is that it must have got caught on something at the top of the mast and we tightened against that instead of its correct fitting. With the sail up and the bumpy ride it has shaken loose and slackened itself off. Once the weather settles a kind volunteer (Steve) will go up the mast and make sure everything is secure before we clamp it tight again and fly the big Yankee headsail.  

            So we are finally on the last Ocean leg of our little odyssey and rushing home to see family, friends and of course the newest arrival to the clan Martha. It did seem rather fitting then, when Steve pointed out a group of stars right above us on the first night out. This small cluster of lights in the sky is known as the Northern Crown or more technically Corona Borealis. If you look inwards from the end towards the centre you can identify the brightest star in the system which is called Gemma (my daughters name). So with Gemma keeping watch from on high I am already feeling much closer to home somehow.

See you all soon…….Spectra and crew