Spinnaker and foredeck viewed from above

A peaceful early Summer rain fell this evening. We won’t set any speed records this trip, but motoring has been kept to a minimum. It is a trip of three parts. First, we experienced weak winds and motoring, then light but following winds using spinnaker and asymmetric to get North and finally fresh winds on the port beam as we turn East towards Oporto. That final phase is expected to start tomorrow morning.

We are three days out of Porto Santo and say two and a bit to go. Hans has been cooking extraordinary well and baking; today we ate Tarte Tartin. We sailed with the spinnaker for most of the day. There was a mishap as we hoisted it. The sock got stuck and its rope went aloft. I twice had to climb the mast to secure the rope. Could get some nice photos the second time as I brought my phone.

Some hours ago, we passed the latitude of Lisbon and Horta on the Azores which are on the same one. We are still far from the coast; 280 nautical miles. Four years ago exactly, Sven, Hans and I were on the leg from Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda. It is fascinating to think back to this. We will read back the blogs when we get ashore.

Tonight is even darker than before. Black, no stars as it is completely overcast. Suddenly, the wind changed; we got double the strength and a wind direction 100 degrees different than forecast. Last thing on my watch, which finished at midnight, was to take down the pole that keeps the genoa to windward and alter course towards Oporto