August 30th 0900 GMT

61 05.0N 013 08.9W

So our low pressure conveyer belt drifted rather too rapidly off to the NE along with it lumpy disorganised seas, and in it’s place a ridge of high pressure unexpectedly turned up with it’s light and variable winds but smoother seas. Good for holidays in the sun but motoring for us unfortunately with 260 nm to go to the Butt of Lewis. However, we left with a full tank and so the main consequence is likely to be a depleted wallet. At least we all had a good night’s sleep and the sun is trying to break through even though it’s still cold. Yesterday we saw a couple of huge high whale blows quite close and the size of the bodies as they broke the surface can only have been blues. A first for us in 15 years. we also had a couple of large dolphins shadowing us for a while which is always nice. Porridge for breakfast so all well on board.