We’d been awaiting our package from the US – it contained our boat’s ‘Documentation’ papers – so we couldn’t leave without it – or Ireland would cause us problems for having an out of date document. I was also waiting on some parts I’d ordered – but they were non critical.

Anyway, after 27 days or so, the express package turns up (delivery man seeking $32 duty!)  and we’re free to leave – which we do – just 2 hours later!

The weather forecast is pretty benign – in fact the problem is that if we had to delay even more, we’d be motoring the entire way to Ireland – instead of just the first couple of days…

So, we’ve been mostly motor-sailing since we left – a combination of sails and engine – the sails getting a bit of extra wind as a result of our forward momentum… We have managed to sail a little (no engine) but when the wind drops to less than 5 knots, it becomes rather pointless.

Our course is taking us North West – Ireland lies just east of North – we’re trying to get across a windless ridge that’s sitting across the Azores – once across, hopefully in the next 12 – 18 hours, we should begin to pick up a nice south westerly breeze and we’ll turn to starboard and have a down-wind sail for a few days.

The seas are flat – making it really easy to spot the wildlife. We’ve seen a few whales – one we heard before we saw it as it crossed just in front of us and blew seemingly in frustration at our intrusing into his/her relaxing swim – big bugger! We had a couple of pods of dolphins too – one of the groups broke off their voyage to come and play in our bow wave for a while which was entertaining.

First day (24 hr) stats: Posn: 39,50N 26,50W. 140NM at 5.83kts (85% engine use 🙁 )

Hopefully the next post will be more newsworthy (not!)…