Scillies to Salcombe

A fresh SW at sunrise, gusting in the 30s, sends us flying east towards the Lizard for the last leg of Tintin's north Atlantic circuit.  

Time to enjoy sailing with the wind.

Well done Tintin

Goodbye Moss

Farewell Moss. Great to have you on board

Landfall at St Agnes

Under the starriest of night skies we crept in to the Cove, between St Agnes and Gugh, at midnight.

A quiet night at anchor enjoyed very much by all of us.

Today we wave goodbye to Maurice.  We will miss him.

Afternoon prayer?

Actually, the 5 minute plankathon

Gentle Friday

The crew are taking it easy today.  Olly is playing Amazing grace on the harmonica, and we're back under engine once more, on a calm sea, in our approach to the Scillies 60 miles away

A day out from the Scillies

Another beautiful day

Dawn with 30 knots on the nose feels so different with a clear , dry sky! And now it's cloudless, wind has eased and veered. We're aiming for a Scilly stop, ETA early Saturday morning.

Spirits are high

Western approaches

We're making good progress. It has been a windy and bouncy night. We're heading into F 6 wind at the moment which should reduce soon for a gentler ride. This sun is rising dead ahead and everything seems a lot easier in daylight. We have 2 reefs in the main and the small staysail jib, and the helm is nicely balanced. But I did just spill my cup of tea - moving around the boat is challenging!

The ship Queen Mary is passing a few miles ahead, from New York to Southampton. Other huge cargo ships are also in the offing, but clear of us.

Life at an angle

Fresh easterlies today are keeping us close hauled, and we are getting used to life on an angle. The magnetic chess board comes into its own.

The wind is forecast to ease and veer tomorrow which should help us point more in the right direction.

Over half way home

Another day of beautiful conditions today, after a quiet night under engine with very little wind. The nights are getting shorter as we head north and the twilight expands.

The fishing line is out, admittedly in 

a little more hope than expectation.

We have identified the seabirds that have checked up on us throughout the trip as Cory's shearwaters.

We are sailing close to the wind today, and have deployed both the genoa and the staysail to catch the light airs. We expect we'll need to put in a tack or two as the wind freshens and veers over the next 24 hours.

Birthday celebrations

I was treated to a wonderful birthday of surprises. What a way to celebrate

Sunday's sunset

Beam reach

If I could choose the best conditions,  this would be it. Today we have had a constant 15-20 knots on the beam; flat seas, and just the right amount of sunshine. 

Added to which, 3 majestic blowing whales (fin whales, Rob reckons) passed our wake comfortably astern. Dolphins have popped over to play briefly, and the occasional petrel has soared by, wingtips skimming the wave crests.

It all makes for a happy and well rested crew. 

The daily cockpit plank is getting longer, and those who dare, do it head down to leeward. Others don't!

Tomorrow is decision day regarding the best route. So far the kind winds of the last few days have helped us to progress directly for Salcombe, our destination.  The pressure systems are due to change, and we'll use tomorrow's forecast to plan the best way forwards.

Sunset and dawn

It's been a beautiful moonlit light. Treated to a beam reach in slight seas, Tintin's making great progress. 

We are happily getting into the swing of our watches/naps/life on board.

The fishing lines will be out soon as we approach the end of our fridge based meal supplies from Terceira. 

Hoping for tuna....

A beautiful day

Force 3 and a fine reach, freshly baked bread and sunshine. This is more like it!

Saturday afternoon on board

Dolphins and the dawn

Yesterday evening we were visited by dolphins again, playing at the bow.

It has been a quiet night- apart from the engine- and now dawn is breaking, with the promise of some gentle sailable breeze on the starboard bow.

Day 2 in the Azores High

The barometer is gently rising as we make our way NE from Terceira. The engine has been on since yesterday lunchtime because what little wind there is, is coming from where we want to go!

The crew are settling into their watch pattern. Here's Moss and Rob enjoying our first sunshine of the trip.

Last night was uneventful.  Our speed over the ground varied from 5 to 6.5 knots depending on whether we has current with us or against.  The surface currents look simple ond obvious in a book (see below) but in reality they're much more complex! 

All set and Salcombe bound

We have slipped our lines, and the GPS is programmed for Salcombe. It's a lovely gentle start to the morning as we run downwind along the southern shore of Terceira

1213 nM to go!

Angra de Heroisma

We learnt more of the history of Angra of the heroes, this beautiful old town on Terceira. Founded by Vasco de Gama on 1493, it was later claimed by Spain, before a seige eventually won it back for Portugal.

We learned of the traditional feasts of the Holy Spirit, started by Queen Isabella,  where hundreds are fed on the streets each day for a week, leading up to Pentecost. Bread soup and wine are given to the poor.

Angra de Heroismo, Terceira

We learnt more of the history of Angra of the heroes, this beautiful old town on Terceira. Founded by Vasco de Gama on 1493, it was later claimed by Spain, before a seige eventually won it back for Portugal.

We learned of the traditional feasts of the Holy Spirit, started by Queen Isabella,  where hundreds are fed on the streets each day for a week, leading up to Pentecost. Bread soup and wine are given to the poor.

Bull on a rope

After an afternoon of winch servicing, rig checks and creating our provisions shopping list, we set off to watch the local "bull running" event.

It was extraordinary.  We hiked up to the village of Sao Bento to find the square cleared, a marching band, and locals perched on to of all the walls and fences ready to watch the fun. 4 small containers sat in the square, each with a bull inside. Once the chosen bull had been tethered to a long rope (with 8 men at the far end to control it all the time) it was released into the streets, to be goaded by young men with capes and open umbrellas. The most entertaining part was watching the local men scarper out of harm's way whenever the bull came anywhere near. Once tired, the bull was led back to its box, and the next bull was released. At no point is the bull hurt intentionally,  though we saw one slip over. Lots of beer was drunk and street food eaten. It was obviously a very popular local event- not many tourists around.

Angra de Heroismo, Terceira

We learnt more of the history of Angra of the heroes, this beautiful old town on Terceira. Founded by Vasco de Gama on 1493, it was later claimed by Spain, before a seige eventually won it back for Portugal.

We learned of the traditional feasts of the Holy Spirit, started by Queen Isabella,  where hundreds are fed on the streets each day for a week, leading up to Pentecost. Bread soup and wine are given to the poor.

On to Terceira

Up and off at 6am today for a 70 nm passage from Horta to Terceira, sailing past Pico and Sao Jorge. We had a beam reach with F 3-4 and blue skies- a great day sailing.

Sao Gorge was stunning to sail past, with green terraces and waterfalls running off the steep hillsides, and cloud falling off the clifftops of the  northern coast.

It's Portugal's National Day today, there's a naval ship here in Angra's harbour decked out with flags, and we can hear firecrackers banging from up in town. Angra is a UNESCO heritage site, and we enjoyed exploring its narrow cobbled streets this evening. Tomorrow's a holiday too and we hope to see some bull running in town...will keep you posted!

Sunday in Horta- sail repairs and pavement painting

Pico's volcanic vinyards and sea swimming pools