April 26

Distance to Horta 1933

Distance sailed sailed 85nm

Distance made good 68nm

Yesterday was bouncy beating but on a good course.  Wind eased overnight and slept well.  I could free off sheets for the first time on this voyage in the early hours but it did not last long.  Wind suddenly changed to the NE and I had to tack.  I don't want to go further North for 2 days to avoid lightning storms forecast in that area.  Now there is a 1m swell from the North, a slightly smaller one from the SE and a wind chop from the NE added on top which makes life on a 5m boat very uncomfortable.  But Nuts is fine and behaving well.  Just wish I could rely on the weather forecast.  It is difficult to plan a route when  the forecast changes so often.  This NE wind was not forecast. I guess the squalls in the distance are messing everything up.  No ships seen for several days, not even on AIS, set on a 10 mile range.