33:25.000n 62:44.000w

Distance to home:  2923 miles

Distance run today:  122 miles  

Course 090

Iridium problems yesterday so today we cover 2 days and hope these are fixed..

We are off again and heading for home. Bermuda was lovely but we have made our repairs and Sadie is in great shape for the journey.

Domestic

The larder is full again after a restock in the supermarket at Hamilton and we have topped off both the diesel and water tanks.

Shopping has been good but expensive here but we do now have a stock of fruit (mainly oranges) which we really missed on the trip up to Bermuda.

Drank a couple of beers with a couple off the boat next door on Saturday night.  They are on their way home having been to Brazil and the Caribbean.  Their boat is 40 years old and 30 ft long (an Albin Ballard for the sailors out there), it’s a bit tired but has done the job.  That said, they viewed our fridge and oven with envy.

I think that life has been a bit basic for them but they are students so we think they should be used to it.

On a different domestic note – Happy 12^th wedding anniversary Em ! (that’s now for yesterday but Jez is hoping for recognition that the thought was there)

Sailing

Broad reaching to a 10 – 15 kt Northerly with full main an genoa yesterday and watching the wind veer overnight.  The wind is scheduled to shift to the west and then the southwest over the next few days which is all good for us as we will try to follow the Great Circle route home which will take us past the Azores at about the halfway point.   

We spent yesterday evening and this morning setting the blocks and sheets to fly jibs from the inner forestay and Tim made one final (we hope) trip up the mast to sort the uphaul for the spinnaker pole.  All easy enough in a calm anchorage but it is a bit different once we are at sea.

This morning’s highlight has been the first deployment of the towed generator.  It’s a big stainless rod with a propeller on the back that we tow on a rope.  It spins and turns a magnet in an expensive and clever version of an old fashioned bike dynamo on the stern of the boat. 

It’s quiet and it’s generating masses of amps as we run downwind under a reefed and poled out genoa with the main lashed down. 

Natural History

Loads of activity in the early morning in the anchorage with big fish moving and jumping.

We were tempted to fish but the need to check out with customs and get moving was stronger.

Latest wildlife of note.  Jellyfish (we think)  that look like Cornish pasty shaped clear plastic bags as they float past.  Below the floating bag is a blue green mass and about a foot of tentacles hanging down.  We are starting to pass dozens of these.   

Today’s (and yesterdays) responses

Stuart – No gales here but the wind is good.  Glad you have got out despite the weather.  Some Giro GC positions would be welcome.

Emily / Alex – glad you had a good day yesterday at the Lane.  Come on you Spurs !

Mum (Jan) - The hair is good.  I’m doing a Brian Blessd 

Mum (Pat) – thanks for anniversary reminder.  I had it covered.  Will visit to raid your greenhouse in the summer.

Grannny Jen – Thanks for the football update.  Sadie is good to go

Frank – Yes, beer was good. 

Em –  we were on receive only, so thanks

Bye for now

Sadie