Position at 12.00 hrs on 3 June is 29:58.0N  70:05.7W and we have 316 nm to run to Bermuda so we did about 76 nm over the day.

 

2 June - After extolling the virtues of Monica the other day she let us down. In the late afternoon Monica’s paddle came up and stayed up. The paddle is generally in the water and is the driving force of the wind vane steering system. The paddle can be raised when not in use but there is a catch which holds it down when in use. This was failing to do so and how hard we tried we couldn’t get it to hold. It wasn’t a good time to be hanging over the stern trying to sort her out so we thought we would sleep on it and try and get some ideas on how we could sort it. So from then on it was hand steering and lashings, not for Norm but to hold the wheel in place. Lashing are good when there is a steady wind but in the variable wind conditions its a bit tiresome.

 

The night was variable. Some strong winds in the right and the wrong direction, no wind and going round in circles. Even so the mileage overall with all the disturbances wasn’t bad.

 

3 June – We are now managing to hold the catch closed by tying it to the bottom of the paddle. A bit difficult to explain but I think it will get us to Bermuda when we can sort out what the problem is.

 

The forecast is OK but we need to be a bit further north really. The wind was heading us so we are motor sailing for a few hours. It will get us into more favourable winds and give the battery at bit of a charge. Even so we do seem to be managing to keep the battery alive with the combined use of Vinden (wind generator) and the Squid (tow along water turbine).

 

We have been joined by some birds today. We belief they are Cory’s shearwater because they look exactly like them in our book. They fly around and then settle next to RT as we sail past. They often associated with ships. Maybe they are looking for a feed. Norm threw then a slice of bread. Probably not a good idea, given them indigestion. Anyway they were healthy eaters and ignored it.  We have also seen some smaller back and white birds, we think they may be storm petrels.

 

We could do with a good down pour. Everything on RT is encrusted with salt it hasn’t rained since we left Fort Lauderdale 7 days ago.