We got sufficiently north to avoid the strong winds from the low going through Ireland, and as a result managed to keep sailing at a reasonable rate.  Strong winds make sailing slow, or if hove to, progress ceases.  Thankfully we've kept moving, and in a fairly favourable direction.  This makes a timely return to work look achievable (unforeseen factors excepted).

 

Sailing takes its toll on many things.  My cousin Fiona made a valliant attempt to reduce the odour from my sleeping bag by pushing it through her large north American washing machine a month ago, before we left Halifax.  The less than fresh smell had built up during the trip last year and had reached maturity having then sat in a dampish boat for 11 months. On handing the dry and washed bag back to me, her main comment (delivered in only a mildly disparaging tone) was that it really needed washing twice.  Crawling into the bag on a regular basis each day for the last four weeks, sometimes in a slightly damp state, has undone much of her good work. I should reassure her now that a major assault on this is planned back in the UK.

 

54:18.47N 15:18.45W