Monday Nov 24

Relentless across The Atlantic
Nigel Houghton
Mon 24 Nov 2014 17:50
DAY 6 MONDAY NOVEMBER 24
 
Position at 1730 GMT:  22deg 19.75 N; 26deg 47.14 W
 
Miles travelled so far: 737
 
Nigel has a new friend. His name is Alan. He sits at the back of the boat and Nigel talks to him.
 
Only problem: Alan doesn’t exist.
 
He’s just the outboard motor hanging off the back rails. At night though, his silhouette looks for all the world like a little man with a pointed hat.
 
Nigel blames him for everything; last night Alan forgot to close the hatch after Nigel went to bed and when it rained the cabin got wet.
 
Alan is a very naughty boy.
 
The rest of the crew are behaving immaculately. Every day for six days come rain or shine we’ve coaxed Relentless to cover 140 miles and we’re now only a day and a half from reaching the first 1,000 miles. Sailing today has been very comfortable – the waves have stopped bashing against us and are now pushing us gently from behind.
 
We were sorry to learn today that our colleagues in the Arc are stuck in Las Palmas because of storms over the Canaries. We’re almost 750 miles ahead and could be the first boat to arrive in St Lucia.
 
Great meal this evening of minestrone soup and freshly-made granary rolls (still warm) plus pears.
 
Late news: It just rained and Nigel got wet. It seems Alan forgot to get his coat out for him.