Making steady progress and if these conditions remain I would expect to arrive at la Palma late Tuesday, however the fcst is showing some very strong winds from the north Sat pm, Sun and Mon so I expect this to bring my ETA forward to maybe Monday. In readiness for the strong winds I have installed a storm sail and have a sea anchor (a means to slow the boat down) at the ready if required.

Ive got myself into a good routine over the last few days which may form the basis for the next stage to Antigua. The weather is now warm and I’ve been wearing only shorts since Sunday. I now sleep in the cabin rather than outside as there is less shipping and the AIS  has not let me down yet. For food I normally cook up a big pot of something mid afternoon which is either pasta based or rice based and this keeps me going for the rest of the day out of the saucepan. 

Time goes quickly for instance I spent most of this morning getting the storm sail out of the hold and in place so that if required I can haul it up immediately. I was going to do some fishing but I don’t really know what I would do if I actually caught something! 

I had a rather awkward conversation with Wandering Star yesterday because she is doing so fantastically and she asked if when this trip is over can she be made up to a Vancouver 32 from a 27. Its a tricky one because she hasn’t really got the experience to which she replied well I need to progress to a 32 so that I can get the experience.    

I said that we could have a competency review in the coming months and if that went well I have a long pole that I could attach to her bow which was about five feet long so in theory she would then be a Vancouver 32.

I don’t think she really bought it and she’s been a bit quiet since then so Ive included a picture of her to cheer her up…..