Since our last blog at midday Wednesday we have been busy with sails and a bit of a snag with the water generator (a fixed propellor like a fishing lure that you tow behind the boat to generate some power.)  We were putting the main up last night before drinks when the thing got trapped between the rudder and the skeg.  No amount of cajoling will loosen it and the sea is too bouncy to go over the side so we have trussed it up like a chicken over the stern and managed to recover the propellor bit and make a new rope arrangement, so almost back to normal.  Such are the joys of sailing.  I just hope the propellor will turn when needed!  The mainsail was distinctly uncomfortable anyway on a dead run with the yankee flapping and very little peace was had.  Our roast lamb celebration was lovely (picture evidence below), but was wolfed down rather late in the end, and no changing for dinner.  Good vegetables prepared by Harriet, too.

We put the kite/ spinnaker up this rather grey but definitely calmer and warmer morning.  Quite the calmest we have seen since a brief period on day two.  Sea temperature is a heady 17 degrees, so a bit warmer than Cornwall at this time of year.  The the wind is mostly less than 20knots and NNE, which is perfect.  22 knots is at the borderline between sailing and flying out of control with this thing.  She has been named Betty - Big Girl’s Blouse by Harriet.  Rather sexist i thought.  She is decided a big girl though - 1000 sqft.  

We have less than 400 miles to go now, so if this holds we will be in on Saturday late evening (or Sunday anyway.)  Which is a very good time, but i know the Rustler 42s are 100 miles ahead - being much longer on the waterline and able to cope with these past few days of strong winds more readily - or their crews are, anyway.  The reason i care is that i have a bottle of whisky riding on who arrives first with Winchat of Penryn.  I fear she has it in the bag.  

Many boats are around us still. We have been a little less aggressive after the autopilot failures, but now need to use Betty as much as we can.  Just having her on board means a big handicap disadvantage.

Not much wildlife seen.  A few sea birds is about it.  Thought we smelled a whale but couldn’t see it in the disturbed seas yesterday.  More visible (in both senses) in the mirror.  I am missing my morning runs more than ever… Harriet has already laid out her running kit for arrival.

We will put the tuna lures out today, now that it is a more gentle movement.  That said, it is impossible quickly to heave-to with Betty so landing it will be very hard.  

In other news our boat plant has died.  Roses do not like big waves of sea water. We will say a few words before committing it’s remains to the deep.  It has been hogging the beer holder by the helm anyway, so perhaps for the best. 

Noon to noon distance was the most disappointing at only 153.  6.5 knots on average.

On the fold

...with celebratory drinks

Betty curvaceous as ever - thursday lunchtime.  (Eddy after most welcome shower)