Position 29 13.8N 64 23.2W

Saturday 9^th May

Progress slowed overnight as the wind died, and the current turned slightly against us, making a daytime landfall a little problematic. Anyway, revs increased a little and around midday, the set turned in our favour with a benign current giving Irie a shove and a predicted arrival time of around 16.00. Still things can change again, but as we close Bermuda, we should pick up south westerly breezes of 12-18 knots which will help the final push.

The night was idyllic, virtually cloudless and a very bright, perfectly full moon to light our way. Sunrise was equally spectacular, a watercolour sky steadily lightening, orange-pink bleeding into yellow and then blue, all brushed over with tracery of thin twisted high cloud. Then the sun, blood red in the east while the silver moon shyly faded into a bank of cloud low in the west – ample repayment for any discomfort.

Washing day today, and Irie looks like a laundry festival, draped in various items baking in the sun. Fishing’s started, though with a singular lack of success other than half the Sargasso Sea. Something must have had a go as there are large chunks bitten out of one of the squid lures – just teasing us.

Finally we had a test run on the storm jib. It seems miles away, bowling along in the sun and heat – hope it doesn’t need to leave its bag.

Knot of the day: Sheet bend and double sheet bend  Nautical term: Sucking the monkey – yes really.

Now much nicer to know

Slicing along - how blue is that sea!