May 12th

Trip metre 5985

Dist to Horta 876

Dist 24 hrs 89

DMG 80

1300UTC

Rain all day yesterday and through the night.  Saw a ship on AIS at 4am and then a yacht.  They were doing 5 knots and me 2.5.  Then discovered they were motoring when they passed me.  Spoke to them on VHF to confirm my AIS is working ok and he said they saw me from 16 miles. Saw another 2 ships this morning.  Just had a pod of pilot whales paying a visit, didn't hang around for long because I am moving too slowly (wind has dropped).  Batteries very low, complete cloud cover and just getting a slow trickle charge.

 May 11th Day 22

Trip metre 5896

Dist to Horta 956

Dist in 24 hrs 90

DMG 80

1300 UTC

Very cloudy with rain, no squalls, just constant rain.  Caught a mahi mahi yesterday and had it fried for supper.  I ate a lot, there was more than enough for 2 people.  I did a stock take on water to see see if I needed to catch some of this rainwater, but I still have plenty.  Getting cooler now, even with the companionway mostly closed, and of course the hatches are completely closed.  Wind easing off  and a rather confused sea.  For the first time I hade a current pushing me from the stern, about 0.7 knots, since early yesterday.

Video from yesterday evening.

Supper tonight

 

 May 10

Trip metre 5806

Dist to Horta 1036

Dist in 24 hrs 85

DMG 75

1300 UTC

Nothing exciting happening.  Still close reaching in light conditions.  Sea smooth rollers and occasional light rain shower but mostly sunny.  Still lots of weed and have to do many reverse sails to clear weed from the keel and rudder.  I am keeping the stabliser fins up out of the weed.

Mrs Bart Caffeine fix sorted for the next 8 days.

Wine o clock yesterday evening.

 

 May 9

Trip metre 5721

Distance to Horta 1111

Distance in 24 hrs 92nm

DMG 83nm

Saw a 180m ship passing close by yesterday.  First received on AIS when 12 miles away.  Also saw a wine bottle floating by, guess some yachtie had a party.  After yesterday's unsettled weather things calmed down, smooth sailing on a reach today.  Watched a waterspout forming below a purple cloud but it dissipated before reaching the ocean.  Several miles away from me but concerning anyway.

 May 8th Day 19

Trip metre 5629

Distance to Horta 1194

Distance in 24 hrs 83nm

Distance Made Good 72nm

1300UTC

Yesterday was very nice calm sailing and I had a long saltwater shower.  I also made a new friend, a little pilot fish riding the bow wave.  The night was clear and calm and I had the hatches open to cool things down.  I was rudely awakened by lots of flapping from the mainsail only to discover the shackle holding the main sheet to the strop on the boom was gone.  I got that sorted with a spare shackle and had to reef a bit later as it started blowing over 15 knots.   Been slamming and bouncing since then.  Making okay speed though,  Very hot and humid today.  Heard some thunder and saw some very threatening clouds but not too close.