Yacht Wishing For The Moon

1830Hrs we change down to the working jib and put in 2 reefs in the main more as a night precaution than necessity, but still making over 7 knots on a broad reach. Dinner is Tagliatelle with salmon and cream sauce, and all held down! Something big took our fishing bait last evening but the line snapped before anyone could get to it. The one that got away!

0130Hrs this morning the main is down to 4th reef and by 0500hrs the jib is lashed on deck in a rising gale and big seas crossing from the north west and south west. Storming along at over 8 knots just with the 4th reefed mainsail. Impossible to stand or even sit for more than a second or two without hanging on. But we must be getting used to it as Karel cooked eggs and bacon this morning accompanied with my home-made bread. A few gulls swooping and soaring amongst the peaks and troughs keep us enthralled.

We have been having some radio problems which now seem to be temporarily solved. If all goes quiet on the blog the reason will most probably be communications, but I think I've got it licked. The antenna tuner got water in it but the radio seems to work OK with the device bypassed.

Heading now for the Azores from where Miles needs to return home to take an important final exam. We should get there by about the 27th.