Right now we’re having a great sail, a broad reach in 16-20 knots of wind and although we still have the main with a single reef we are seeing 7 knots most of the time (max boat speed about 8.4 knots). So that’ great isn’t it?

Well yes but...

Our problem is as before that we have to turn right towards Horta and between us and the Azores lies a pretty wide windless ridge which would require 2 days motoring. We have fuel for that but it would leave little more and the winds ‘on the other side’ are light and against us so we might need to motor some more.

Obviously nobody wants to head off without enough energy whether that is diesel or wind and so we will wait for the latest weather routing info this evening. At that point we will either turn to starboard on their basis that we can get to the Azores (accepting already that the light winds early this week mean we are going to be late), or we go to port and head for Lisbon. This would release John to fly to the event he’s organised and avoid us going on without enough diesel.

Here’s hoping for good news from Chris the weather man as I want to get to Horta and the party!

The photo was 2 evenings ago when we enjoyed the one glass of wine we award ourselves each day and when we had been becalmed.

[d]2018-06-10 14:45Z