Position 38:03.1N 34:20.9W

 

A frustrating 48 hours that have resulted in a slight change of plan.

 

We have found ourselves with still over 300 miles to run to Horta on the Azores island of Faial – where we plan to leave the boat. However, getting there is proving a challenge as we are faced with a combination of relatively light head winds – coming ENE from precisely our desired direction of travel – together with a somewhat short and lumpy sea. Last night we tacked north but were still not able to sail closer than 35 degrees or more from the rhumb line course. The seas mean that motoring is a slow business – only managing 2 or 3 knots over the ground as the boat punches into the waves – with the engine revs constrained by the need to conserve fuel. We feel that we could only do about 200 miles with what we have left. All the indications are that the prevailing conditions are well set and unlikely to change significantly.

 

This morning, therefore, the skipper – looking not unlike Baldrick with his habitual stubble and not quite NHS specs – came up with a “cunning plan.” This involves bearing away by some 20 degrees, which means that we can motor-sail with main and genoa set and head for Flores – the most westerly island of the Azores archipelago. This ought to take about a day and a half. There is a small harbour where we will be able to refuel. (The facilities are not exactly state-of-the-art – rather work in progress. The Pilot suggests ringing “Paula” – who amongst other “enterprises” (unspecified) runs the Azoria filling station on the Santa Cruz road and she will arrange for up to 500 litres of fuel to be brought down to the harbour in cans. So, not exactly Heston Service,s but there or thereabouts) From Flores we will have about 120 miles to run to Horta – which will almost certainly be straight into an easterly wind – but with full tanks and the opportunity to use full engine revs if required, ought to take another days or so.

 

ETA in Horta – although as my father used to say “Sailing boats have destinations but NOT expected times of arrival” – would then be Friday – or possible Saturday.

 

This afternoon the wind has freed a bit and we are now sailing without engine at 6 knots almost on course.

 

OR WE WERE!

 

As I write we have had to hand the genoa to slow us down because we have just caught – yes, you guessed it, folks – a TUNA! Another 15kg whopper. So that’s the Fray Bentos (Sob!) consigned to the bilges and every possibility of bleedin’ sushimi  for supper. The Fish Filletting Board is in session on the afterdeck and raw fish followed by cooked fish is the order of the day.

 

I should point out that – despite the reservations of the more refined elements of the crew, ie Simon and I – the skipper elected to tie the tail of our first victim to the backstay – pour encourager les autres - and now proposes to add another tail to the trophy cabinet. I have no doubt that were the civilising influence of the CMF (Current Mrs Foot) here, such barbarity would not be tolerated.

 

Yrs ay

 

David, Stephen and Simon