Most of us managed a decent sleep last night, by one means or another. Ali and I changed ends, Lorraine stuck with her bunk, and Jim adopted the starboard mid cabin bunk, having listened to the anchor clanging in the bow roller for too much of the previous night. All strategies worked, or exhaustion took over…

More wildlife today too: turtles out here – must be heading somewhere special, since the bottom is a very long way down! Stormy petrels, our friend the skua, and fulmar-like birds were around all day.

Likewise more sail repair: the tape we put on the main the other day looked a bit loose at some points, so we had it down to inspect and put some more retaining stitches in. This seemed like a ten minute job, and in a sail loft maybe. Two hours later, we allowed Ali off the boom and out of the stakapak (she took an hour to get the blood back in her limbs). All done though, and we are back on the wind.

Happy hour – Lorraine’s favourite time of the day despite the absence of tequila - finished off the work schedule. Guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips, beer and cider – most of it went as intended though there were some slips betwixt cup and lip!

The wind has eased a bit, and now has more east in it. We are still managing to hold to our course which is the direct route to the Azores, but expect to have to shape more northerly tonight at some point, which will put a few more miles on our passage. Still, we are making 6 knots and the seas have softened so no banging and crashing: another good night’s sleep beckons!

Sweet dreams all,

Watergaw