All well on board, having to motor-sail again, expensive on diesel.

We cannot get Emerald to sail properly on Starboard tack with the wind closer than about 50 deg. We are not sure if it is the skipper's incompetency, the cut of the genny, or the fact that the boat is really heavy on the port side, or a combination of all of these and more!

We've got 15 knots of wind at about 40 degrees, but we keep getting stopped by the swell, so were down to 3 to 4 knots when we should easily be doing 6 plus?. All answers, ideas or comments greatfully received!

We could run south but don't want to lose the north we've got for Peterhead, so it is on with Victor, perhaps we can stop by one of the rigs for a fill up!

Otherwise all well. We left Norway at 7.30am on Sunday morning and are on time to make Peterhead at some point on Tuesday, perhaps the afternoon.

Currently about 10 or so miles from British waters, almost back to Blighty, hurrah!

Should be quite a show tonight as we pass through the oil rig fields, Forties, Kittiwake, Teal and Guillemot fields lie on our route so will be easy to navigate!

slainte skip

PS I can almost taste the steak and chips and first pint of real ale in months ........ ahhh, anyone know any good pubs in Peterhead?