Yesterday evening was one of those times when what seems to be isn't.

I am expecting a windshift to the N and it is supposed to happen when I get into the high which I am in quite solidly.

So, when the Monitor wind vane, which will send me any direction the wind blows, once I set it up for a certain relative wind, had us going NW for about 20 minutes, I thought, gee this must be it. So, I tacked onto a heading of E. As I shifted over, so did the wind and I was heading almost S. I had to laugh. So, I tacked back and continued heading N.

Then, after dinner (Annie's mac and cheese with cauliflower and ham) it did it again, so I thought, well, I'll just watch, you won't trick me again. Except she did. Then, the wind died. So at about 9:00 the engine joined the party and we have been motoring ever since. Sometimes the wind shifts over, but it always comes back, and it is generally under 5 kts. So, motor away. I am headed to 28 N and 62 W where I hope to find NW winds so I can begin to aim for Horta, Faial, Azores. Kiki will meet me there in early June.

If you check out Google, you will see I am about 300 miles S of Bermuda, so this is one trip that will not involve a stop there. About time. But, stuff happens and I should not chortle just yet.

I finally contacted Herb Hilgenberg yesterday afternoon and now have the security of his guidance weather wise. I have been listening to him and know generally what is going on, but he and I had not had good direct communication.

The big news is a major storm coming our way off Newfoundland. It is quite large and strong for this time of year. Hurricane quality. So, now you will see my track go no further than 30 N and I will just be going mostly E until this storm sorts itself out and hopefully dies a peaceful death well above me.

In the meantime, we have a nice gentle 6 foot swell from the N. I'm not sure if that is off the Southern US or due to Newfoundland. I guess both areas are getting hit. I heard Herb talking to a boat much closer to the Azores - they are about there, and he said, don't go any closer. How about that for frustrating? I think by mid May the area will be more calm.

1869 miles to go