A short period of very strong wind overnight.  In retrospect this was predictable with interpolation of the GRIB weather charts hinting at a narrowing of isobars in the area where we were.  However I hadn't spotted the potential for it in advance.  We hove to for five hours at the peak of things. Scooting along with the wind nearly behind us now.

 

An odd occurrence:  Had an email from Sheila (Elliott - not sure if she has changed her name) telling of her recent trip to Scotland and how on a boat trip she nearly saw a whale but her view was obscured by the boat / other people at the vital moment.  I put together a reply letting her know that no whales had been spotted here so far.  After this, I went up on deck and there swimming alongside was a whale. By the time the camera was out he/she had dropped further back to play in the outer part of the stern wave with his/her mates, so the pictures don't show the initial close up view. 

 

Loads of widely varying birdlife today.  There must be fish, but I'm not trolling yet since the fresh food is still going.  We're sailing a bit too fast for good fishing anyway. 

 

Just crossed longitude fifty degrees – always nice to pass a landmark number.

 

43:28.90N 49:57.69W