Position 43 18.2N 11 28.8W

Tuesday 9^th June

As forecast, the wind abated overnight, sea went down and by early evening we were motoring peacefully at between five and six knots. This lasted till breakfast time, and sleep was peaceful and sound, soothed by the drone of the engine and watched over by a full moon. Through the morning, the wind built again from the south east, and the last eight hours have seen some of the most exhilarating sailing of the trip – thirty knots of wind on the starboard quarter and Irie surging along, often at eight knots or more. Occasionally a fresh gust coincides with a larger wave, and fourteen tons of boat gather’s its skirts and roars gleefully down the wave’s face at nearly eleven knots. The only drawback is that it’s raining, but who cares when you’re eating up the miles direct to the home port. All things being equal, arrival at the breakwater should be this weekend, and possibly as early as Saturday, but a great deal can happen.....

Knot of the day: Common Sennit    Nautical saying: Chatham chest