After a night under engine with very light airs, it was most satisfying to wake to the sounds of the Big Z spinnaker being hoisted by our energetic skipper and the engine being turned off. That was just after 8.00 am and since then we have carried the spinnaker successfully despite some fickle winds and the odd squall. The sun has shone, it is pleasantly warm, so complaints there are none.

We are now 215 nm down the track and have settled down to a very innovative watch system which seems to allow a generous amount of sleep. I cooked my chicken curry last night and lunch consisted of gazpacho followed by langoustines (the skipper's favourite). We now await Big Ben's offering for dinner tonight.

So all is well on Zephyr. The new genset is a joy and all systems are working well. And thank you Michael and Micky for allowing me on board yet again. This is going to be a very different week to Cowes Week as befits a passage offshore, but equally enjoyable as we average 8.5 kts downwind in a Force 4/5 breeze off the starboard quarter. Long may it last.