Friday 19^th May 2023

North Atlantic Ocean 39^o 07.9N 18^o 27.0W 

Blog by David  (Time Zone: BST -1)

I cant imagine there are many sailors who actually enjoy sailing to windward.  None of the three of us would so by choice – indeed we spend our whole time trying to find somewhere to go that’s downwind from our starting point.  On that basis, right now Madeira would be the best candidate. (but … Been there, done that ).

It’s not actually the wind that is the problem – we can reduce sail to make sure we are not over powered – it’s the sea – the swell and the waves generated by the wind.  Bouncing up and down, boat leaning over at an angle, it’s all very wearing.  And if we go too fast  through a wave  - we fall off the back into the trough with a slam.  Slam, slam   …..   SLAM!

It is a penance you have to pay for enjoying yourself – and we must have had a great time because we have been sailing to windward for two days and have the prospect of three more before we are done.

Very little to see on route.  There is pretty much 100% cloud cover so the sea is grey.  It is showery and cold (it’s the northerly wind L). The off watch crew disperses to their respective bunks when the shift ends -  in order to keep warm.

Toby had a pod of about 50 dolphins come visit earlier which made a welcome change.  We also see the occasional block of flats passing on the horizon - probably bound to North America from the Mediterranean. Indeed there was a container ship passing 10 miles distant today that looked as big as Lizard Point in Cornwall = a five storey high shopping mall about 500 metres long travelling at 16kts. 

Progress has been tolerably good.  There quite an adverse current so 140-150 miles made good is a good daily target.   Four days out from Horta  and we have still 450 miles to run to  Cape St Vincent and when we get there the wind will drop.

Anyway – that’s about it. Oh – and the wind will be NE 23-28kts tomorrow.