Hi All,

Neptune personally took it upon himself to stir up the Northern Atlantic with his enormous trident yesterday afternoon.

Visions came to mind of a pig-tailed Gregory peck rooted to the quarterdeck, with a soaked tricorn hat shielding his eyes, hand cupped over his mouth, yelling to the windswept and awestruck helmsman to '..hold your course, damn you!' 

Suffice to say the last 24 hours amounted to a cursory introduction to real ocean sailing for the uninitiated. We eventually pulled through the maelstrom a tad soggy and sodden but hugely grateful that we have the uncooperative and bloody-minded weather behind us. Over our starboard bow we bade farwell to the thunder and lightning as it whistled on and further ever northwards. Meanwhile, we swung east into the evening sunset.

This morning, the sun rose and greeted the early-morning watch team with a blue sky and a firm breeze at 13.9 knots.

At last we have crossed the 1000 nautical mile threshold upon our journey to the Azores, a Portugese-owned group of islands rising steeply from the ocean floor in the mid-Atlantic. In essence, we have passed the half-way mark on the first leg of our sea-passage to Cowes.

The possibilities of a steady berth, fresh towels, dry land and the a nice cold beer beckon.  Most of all, the crew of Yellowdrama look forward to the luxury of an immobile, stationary lavatory and the accompanying prospect of being able to perform ones' daily abolutions without the need to assume advanced Romanian gymnastic positions on the ceiling.

Andrew has suggested that Monday be designated National Yacht Porridge Day. May have to check with the RYA on that one. Sasha's tea and toast-making abilities have been greatly appreciated by the early-dawn watch.

Approx 900 miles and 6 days to the Azores.

Go Yellowdrama! Go!

Author Mark - the uninitiated!!

PS From Blake and Clarissa... Although it was a rough ride yesterday we are all in good spirits and slowly catching up on our sleep!! Today is turning into a beautiful day out on the atlantic.. perhaps a bit of sunbathing could be in order while we still have the chance!! Or maybe even catch another fish.... Hoping the Azores are as warm as this! 

It has been interesting weather to navigate tactically.  We are now following the Great Circle unintentially.  The thunder storms are all South of us at the moment.  No point sailing straight into them when you have options!

Write again soon

Blake, Clarissa and the crew!!