Hi all, thanks so much for the good wishes and support. What a tough gig that was, 3000 + ocean miles with weather attitude. Our last day was great. Downwind sailing with twin headsails poled out. The wind lasted until late Friday/early Saturday, when we had to drop the sails and poles in the dark and turn the engine on. The McMillan almanac states “fog is rare”, so of course it was a pea souper for the last few miles. Just before the fog we had to radio a 180m tanker who appeared oblivious to our presence despite our AIS and radar. HE was oblivious, and on speaking to him there was a brief hiatus whilst he go himself together and order was restored. We saw nothing on our way in until we could see the shore then breakwater for the harbour. On calling in to the harbour/marina news was disappointing. The marina was full and we would need to anchor with around 20 or so other boats ( there were easily 30 more tied onto the wall), and go ashore for formalities. We anchored, pumped up the dinghy and shot to the queue at customs. What a jovial bunch, but many tales of derring do and bad weather. We (for once) said little, I think we were so tired. Lunchtime came and processing stopped. There was only one man doing papers as it was Saturday, normally there are two. We stayed in the queue and were probably seen post lunch at about 2 p.m. the customs guy was pleasant. He was clearly filling in the on-line form that elsewhere we complete ourselves on our laptops or at a computer provided ashore. However our charm offensive, sympathy with his workload etc worked, and we were allotted a marina space. It belongs to a Horta boat soon to be lifted in, so we may have to move but that’s okay. We rowed back to the boat and got in pdq. Then we tidied the boat doing stuff we’ve not done for a month, putting on the sail cover etc. We walked to the shops for the essentials thinking they may be closed Sunday. You got it, milk lettuce, tomatoes, ham for lunch etc. We stopped for one drink at peters bar, apparently famous amongst yachties, sadly no champers or fizz, so had an almost fizzy vhino Verde. Then back to the boat with the shopping. Tim readied to go for a shower, I fell off a cliff with tiredness. Lovely Tim, made up the double berth with fresh linen, the duvet (not sleeping bag please note), and I went to bed late afternoon I think, and woke now. It is about 11 o’clock or 12 on Sunday, I am not sure. What a lightweight. Anyway I now feel great. On coming into Horta we met Helios who did the ARC with us. Lovely Dale and his daughter Megan, now joined by other family who replace the crew. They kindly invited us for tapas later, but I was asleep by then sadly. We were invited for drinks by a couple moving to stornoway, but again we can catch up later. A very sobering event or two to report. A yacht got towed in as we were in customs. She is 50 feet plus. Her big black Kevlar mainsail is in tatters, the remainder hanging from the mast track, bits stuck to the shrouds. Her massive boom is in half. The customs man explained as best we could understand his Portuguese, that she had broken the boom, had no engine power ( not sure why), the crew were taken off by a fishing boat, the skipper stayed on (our admiration goes to him), and he drifted for over a day before getting towed. She is just behind us but I don’t like to take a photo of their troubles, her sail is still hanging from the mast. He also told us of a fatality last week, a crew member swept overboard but attached to his tether. Sadly deceased on recovery onto the boat. It reminds us that whilst this is an adventure, we’ve got to keep the heid, but that applies everywhere. You can get caught out round the Ross of Mull, as easily as here, I suppose the slight difference is you might get help sooner inshore. To today. First thing, showers and laundry. The Timster is still in a well deserved sleep. He has been really brave. He does most of the out of cockpit work, although I also do the downwind poles. In particular, taking the main down when the weather goes into full monster mode looks terrifying. I don’t know how it must feel clinging to the mast, waves breaking over the boat which is well heeled over, but respect to him. He is very stoic and generally unflakey, just as well someone is 😳. We will get onto the list of jobs, hopefully have lunch or dinner ashore, and start looking at the next phase, back to the uk or Ireland. For now, I think a wee on board party, catch up with a folks, and a bit more sleep. I cannot describe how lovely it is to be safely tied up, electricity hooked up, lights for reading, as much water as we need, and the boat is still and calm, I repeat still and calm. Cheers to you all, shore based and afloat. Team Restless out for now (that is VHF speak for bye bye). X