58:42N  51:19W

 

The cunning plan is working well. We left Black Tickle two days ago and after a few hours motoring, the south wind came in as predicted and we have had two days of brilliant sunshine and following winds. We have been cracking along with the cruising chute up all through the daylight hours. We were accompanied yesterday by a large pod of long finned pilot whales, who followed in our wake for almost an hour.

We have now fallen into the predicted hole, and have been motoring for 12 hours, but we are detecting a rise in the wind strength, so may be sailing again before long.

Today is John’s birthday, so we have popped a bottle of bubbly to celebrate in the usual way.

Possible arrival Arsuk tomorrow, Tuesday afternoon.