Thursday 11^th May 2023

North Atlantic Ocean 37^o 45.9 N 36^o 42.4 W 

Blog by David  (Time zone: BST -3)

S’funny.  We didn’t notice it as it happened,  but things have changed. 

We are currently on the same Latitude as Lisbon, Portugal.  To me, Lisbon is a city in the south of Europe – cue: Sunshine and warmth. Here, it’s 20^oC at midday on board – that maybe warm to you but it is decidedly nippy for those of us who have spent a couple of months in the Caribbean. The last time we went for a swim, the water temperature was 27^oC  - here it is 15-16^oC. I have made a mental note not to fall overboard!

A note on the sartorial front. The first long trousers emerged on deck on Tuesday, allegedly to keep the sun off rather than the warmth in. They had been in evidence immediately after “The Squall” but had since been absent until Tuesday,  However,  at night, fleeces are now prevalent. Oh, and there is now the  familiar, but long forgotten, dampness beginning to form on most surfaces below -  common on all yachts in temperate waters.

There was a  heavy dew last night, so heavy that droplets of water formed on the gelcoat – just as if it had been raining – the cushions on deck are soaking – and below, in the saloon and everywhere else  …. It is damp – every surface feels cold and clammy.  Loverley!

A view from Serendipity

There really has not been much to look at. When you are 1,000 miles from everywhere,  other than the sea bed (currently just 2 miles away), I guess you don’t expect to see much.  We do “see” ships on the AIS from time to time but few, if any, have passed within 10 miles of us and have been invisible from the cockpit, the view from which has looked pretty much like this for the last 10 days:

The view to Starboard                                                                                     The View to port

Observe:    Absolutely nothing to look at!

Well, I lie – because today Terry and Toby were lucky enough to see two Sperm Whales!!!! – quite unusual this far from land.

Progress

Talking of land, the Azores are getting closer minute by minute.   We have made good 201 miles in the 24 hours to midday today.  Currently, we have about 375 miles to run to Horta. 

375 miles is a relief  because we do have the fuel to motor that far, and that itself is good because the weather Gods are likely to desert us over the next 24 hours.  Unless we are lucky, we are going to be motoring for the last 24 hours. 

We should get to Horta on Saturday evening – hopefully before dark.

That’s All Folks!