Monday 28 June 2021

Enjoyed an exhilarating day on the Atlantic, going slowly in aberrant direction.
After twenty four hours we've closed distance to Horta by fifty six NM. A bit
of ciphering shows that's an average of two and a third knots which would result
in landfall before the beginning of August with a day to spare. However, should
do a smidge more by next noon and possibly even better after that. One ship
passed by heading toward Gibraltar, three tropic birds shadowed us all day
squeaking their little calls and sargasso weeds undulated in streaks over the
sea surface, otherwise ocean has been empty. We're burning through numerous
books purchased for Kindle when internet was available. Hope we have enough.

One consequence of slow progress is advancing deeper into hurricane season while
still at sea, but we have a remedy: close eyes, place fingers in ears and loudly
holler "la la la la". Works nearly every time.

Shortly, however, we'll be heading into zone of little wind that will begin
veering around to the west, eventually with increased strength. Expect at
midnight to crank noisy iron thingy and roll in genoa to motorsail more
eastward, making for helpful side of strong eddy kicked out by Gulf Stream.

Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down,
'Twas sad as sad could be;
And we did speak only to break
The silence of the sea!
- Samuel Coleridge, "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

Jack & Jan