So kids, let me tell you a story of a weird genius who once upon a time had a vision that everyone in the world could communicate without barriers and share honest, considered facts for mere pennies a day. Well… it never happened; but, we do have STARLINK! I’m coming to you today from the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean courtesy of a satellite array that will one day block out the real stars. But I’m not here to put dampers on your Pampers.

We are just under 500nm from the Azores, having traveled 1300nm so far from Bermuda. We’ve had some crazy fast days along the way, often running 12kts under jib and triple-reefed main, logging several 200+ days along the way. Unfortunately we’re now under the Azores High with not a whisper of wind running under power at a wimpy 6kts. Not to worry though, we’re using the power to make water to do laundry and wash the salt crust off the boat.

We departed Bermuda on a bright Sunday morning and made a course North-East toward the Gulf Stream. Late on the 8th we gybed and followed our rhumb line to Horta on a nice st’b’d reach. We’re still on the same line currently. We have been doing lots of NY Times crosswords and our morning workouts, but our only company has been a few far-off tankers, some fleeting dolphins and these interesting jelly fish with sails on their backs.

Nancy has been feeding us well, from steak to salmon, with some really good corn-on-the-cob we picked up in St. Georges. We have occasionally had fishing lines out, but so far have not caught anything (remember, it’s called “fishing” not “catching”). The wind and waves have been just as forecast, unfortunately: Too much sometimes and too little at others. I’m beginning to agree with J. in the book, “Three Men in a Boat” who has decided not to read the forecast anymore because; its bad enough you have to put up with it when it gets here no sense in worrying about it before.

Oh, yeah, the new autopilot drained all the hydraulic fluid into the bilge and went belly up in the middle of the 3 reef gale! Not to worry though, we sorted it out. Nancy held her own, hand steering in 12 ft seas, while I tightened all the hose connections that the hydraulics technician installed. I then poured 20oz of fluid into a 10oz reservoir (I know, the math doesn’t add up. I thought it would be easier if I poured some all over myself and the boat while rolling around the floor). After a bit of bleeding (the pump, not me for a change) we got everything back in order and once again Betty (so-called because she makes this cute “boop” sound when the check valves open) was back in business.

Well, that’s about it for today, I have to go keep an eye on a ship coming my way. Don’t forget to write and come sail with us anytime; preferably not in a gale!