Excellent sailing!  Noon to Noon run of 162 miles. We have been close hauled in NE 16 - 20 knot winds - which is wild and exhilarating sailing for Matchmaker - she is very steady and looks after her small crew. We feel like a tiny atom in this vast Atlantic Ocean. Absolutely nothing here apart from sea, sea, sea, and yet more sea. 

 

But strangely, we are all happy and content in our routine - as we pass responsibilty through the day from watch to watch... The ship reels in the miles and we count them, recording wind speeds and directions and other key events at the change of every watch. As one person gets ready and comes on for the watch the other crawls into a warm bunk...or, if it is daylight, finds a quiet corner to read, or just gaze out to the sea. It is a comforting rhythm, and so Matchmaker and her happy team get closer to the objective.

 

Helming is now more challenging and we have excellent abilities in this department with Jon and Mel - both taking long hours at the helm and coaxing an extra half knot of performance and making sure we glide elegantly over the bigger waves. 

 

Mick was "mother" today and got our taste buds buzzing with his hot dog service Working in the galley is now more difficult as MM is healing into the wind.- ( note the gimballed stove in the photograph ) -  Evening service was an equally splendid Pasta Bolognese - a safe option in these seas!

 

The Weather forecast is improving for us and the winds are forecast to Veer to the East and to Moderate over night - we expect to Radio in to Bermuda Authorities at Dawn - ( we are now just beginning to hear the Control tower chatter on the VHF) - and should arrive by noon tomorrow.