3 Dec 15:00 17.38.50N 40.40.56W The NE trade winds arrived a day earlier than anticipated. In the wee hours of Thursday morning the wind dropped, veered from S to NE by breakfast and was a respectable 10kts by mid afternoon. It continued to rise overnight and is now rarely below a brisk 16kts. As well as wind we have a 2 metre swell running with us. This is making the boat pitch and yaw, dramatically at times, which is making everything that starts with s (standing, sleeping, steering, showering, shaving, etc) and cooking all the more challenging. But we'll put up with all of that in return for making good progress.