The thrill of sailing downwind on the ocean, long forgotten, returned last night, that lovely sensation of going down following seas. We knew the forecast was for the wind to veer to the south east, then south west. Having previously prepared our poles with all the lines in anticipation for poling out, we knew it was just a matter of time before we would deploy it. Voyageur began to roll a little in building seas swinging those hips of hers as ladies do when they are in the rhythm of the dance. I had a very busy watch, not for me the luxury of star gazing or reading by the light of the torch. Sitting at the helm position, I was constantly having to reef and unreef the sails, as gusts swept over us. Finally with the wind coming more on the stern quarter I put the main away altogether. It was even colder tonight. I sat huddled in the cockpit wrapped in blankets, my feet tucked into cosy fleece slippers. At this rate it will not be long before the front door goes up. How on earth will we cope at 56 degrees north! We waited until first light, 5am, before going out on the pitching deck to swing out the pole to port. Now we could take twenty precious degrees off our course direct to Bermuda. But last night it was not a good night for me as I hardly slept, no more than a couple of hours at most. Consequently I am feeling sick from fatigue and the rolling motion of the boat. I have to write down below as the bright sunlight in the cockpit makes it impossible for me to read the computer screen. On the plus side we are still sailing, the sun is shining, the sea is sparkling, and David made the lunch, cheese and tomato toasties. Oh, and we are now just one day away from Bermuda. Our mileages have been disappointingly low this trip. Four monotonous days motoring, two of near perfect sailing conditions. But it has been the perfect "shake down" cruise for us and Voyageur. The first rally boats are arriving today, A Lady, Asteroid, Emilija and Ninfea due in sometime tonight. We are already picking up Radio Bermuda on our VHF from a distance of 165nm. Amazing!