Jul 1, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 38
48°09'N/12°46'W
Nearly back to blighty. Exhiliarating ride last night - winds up to 25 knots kept the speed up. No more fish - the fridge isfull. This morning we gybed to go east.
Too rough to cook lunch so cheese and biscuits all round.
One of the diesel canisters broke loose last night and the cap came off - contents spilled over the aft deck. David managed to make a temporary lashing despite the slippery deck. He's been washing his new gloves and sea boots but the smell of diesel follows him around. Good progress continues. ETA Falmouth late PM Sunday or early Monday AM.
All looking forward to meeting the ladies and speaking to family.

JUN 30, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 37
46°45'N/15°46'W
Bit windy! We considered trying to run out this gale and go straight to Cherbourg but thankfully, it will calm down to a more manageable 22 knots. So still heading for Falmouth.
Two reefs in the main and three in the jib - occasional knock sideways so autohelm is being watched at all times.
Tuna rules - we cut up a yellow table mat in the shape of a squid to use as bait and Glen spent nearly an hour landing a 25lb, 1-metre long Tuna - a monster. Sequel to Atlantic Cookbook now in production - 50 ways to eat a Tuna.ETA Falmouth - Monday AM.

JUN 29, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 36
45°39'N/18°33'W
Eventful 24-hrs. Whale watching. Found ourselves among a school of whales - large one ahead of us so we quickly turned to port and ran alongside it for several minutes - dolphins were the support act. Even Keith managed to wake up and get out of bed for that.
WE HAVE CAUGHT A FISH!!! Tuna for tea - Glen had to take his ham and mushroom pie out of the oven.
Wind now westerly (hoorah) allowing us to hit 7k in the direction of Falmouth. Making a course of 70 degrees. On schedule for an early Monday landfall in England.

JUN 28, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 35
NO LOG RECEIVED

JUN 27, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 34
43°15'N/22°31'W
Today we are sailing, tacking into the wind to conserve some fuel. The weather is cold, the sky very overcast. Occasional showers.
Last night's ride was very bouncy - motoring through the waves and they were quite big so no one got a decent nights sleep.

Glen's Atlantic Cookbook is well under way and today we had Pork Chops with a rice and fresh tomato sauce. Lunch had to be cheese and ham toasties - if only to keep our hands warm.
Mileage is good - still confident to be at Falmouth to meet the girls.

JUN 26, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 33
42°20'N/24°19'W
Sailing a little. As the wind backs we run out the jib, switch off the engine until the wind veers - then motor again. Making good time but using up fuel. There will come a time when we need to reserve fuel for negotiating the English channel separation lanes and entering Falmouth.
Everyone is well and enjoying the trip but the nights are very cod andtoday the sky is overcast. We expect rain later. Using sextant daily to take sun sights - GPS is still taking priority though.

JUN 25, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 32
41°50'N/26°36'W
Still Motoring! Headed by NE winds.Still trailing lures in the hope of catching fish. Lines have been out for 2,600 miles and no catch - do you think we are doing something wrong?
Used 10 litres of fuel today, enough left to motor approx 176 hours - wind needs to turn round to NW/W to meet our Falmouth rendezvous.
Should kick in Monday pm so we hope to be able to use less fuel.

New watch system works brilliantly but still a little chilly.

JUN 24, 2005 - ATLANTIC OCEAN- DAY 31
40°15'N/27°56'W
Here we go again!
Back on watch - each of us doing a 3-hr day and night shift at the wheel - mainly keeping a lookout for other boats. Have run the engine as the wind is on the nose.
Glen back on form with Pork and Azorian sausage casserole. Engine running well (good old Chris) and toilets perfect - no more bucket flushing.
Dolphins back today and we have collected a very large fender, ideal for the stern when we dock at Falmouth.
Crew reduced to four and much happier now - a good team!