The mahimahi was a feast!  Can’t say the filleting was up to Michelin standard but no matter, lightly fried and served with oven chips and a few of our remaining fresh veg - perfect!    

We ran under engine all last night.  No choice really there was absolutely no wind.  The purists might have sat it out and wallowed, but we’ve got an deadline to meet and our speed’s been dropping over the last few days.  And it’s really no fun becalmed.  So engine on and 5 to 6 knots all night.  

For those on watch it was a beautiful night.  Full moon (so couldn’t see too many stars) and the sea state has calmed right down.  There are no other boats in sight, although we know there are one or two within VHF range because we hear the occasional call. The only thing to do, other than admire the view, was keep an eye on the radar screen for rain clouds (which are accompanied by wind), but most of them skirted round us anyway.

For those off-watch it was also a good night,. The drone of the engine and a gentler boat motion were irresistibly soporific.

We’re still working to UK time (GMT) so dawn is quite late now (after 8 a.m.)  Not that it matters much as we’re now a 24hr operation.  Tristan cooked scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast and night turned to day and Qing motored on.

And on, and on…

Quite frustrating really as we make slower progress under engine.  We want to average 6.25 knots and under engine we’re making only 5.5.  

It’s been a bright sunny day and quite hot.  Sophie and Tristan fixed the “Watt and Sea” towed generator which had suffered in the earlier strong winds and David and Tristan fixed a leak in the water maker system.

Mid afternoon the wind picked up a little and we put up the asymmetric (translation for non-sailers that’s the big colourful sail that billows out the front - good for light airs).   I say we - because it did take all of us to get it up.  But at least once up we could kill the engine and gain a little speed.  The wind is still not strong (10 knots) but at least it’s in just the right direction for us. 

Sophie and Tristan both had lines out astern and it was Sophie’s turn to triumph today when she expertly landed a beautiful yellow fin tuna. She also killed and gutted it on deck and as I write this she is preparing it for supper tonight.  In fact, it’s ready now.  I’d better go…!