May 14th

Trip metre 6116

Dist to Horta 772nm

Dist in 24 hrs 48nm

DMG 39nm

Wind picked up in early hours of the morning and I was sailing too fast under jib alone so I dropped it.  Just drifting along with tiller lashed and doing less than 1 knot.  Movement of the boat very uncomfortable with no sails up to steady it.  Frustrating having to stop and drift when there is a good wind from the stern but can't take a chance of running into the depressions.  Did inventory of remaining food and have enough for 25 days without rationing.  Also found my missing tomato sauce!  Getting some hazy sun from time to time which is charging the batteries slowly.  I like to have a reserve before spending time on Starlink.  Spend most of my time jammed in on the floor reading.

 May 13th

Trip metre 6068

Distance to Horta 811

Distance 24 hrs 83

DMG 65

Wind picked up and sea nasty.  On a beam reach with only jib up since early hours this morning.  Forecast is for 2 strong depressions to pass over the Azores and gale force winds as far south as 35N.  I have decided to sail very slowly to let them pass by to the north of me.  I'll try to get a bit more east then stop and wait.  Getting pounded at the moment with breaking seas hitting the beam and crashing over the boat.  Getting warps and chain ready to deploy as drogues.

 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.