After our fun filled week in Bermuda, Wednesday came quickly upon us and we found ourselves leaving the dock once more to head out into the Ocean. Luckily the bad weather we come in with had passed through and it was a pleasant morning before the start. The start line was in St Georges Harbour so it was going to be fun to get all 22 boats out of the cut. We were about the 6th out and behind us the rest of the fleet seemed to pile up in the Cut as the breeze dropped off. It was a long afternoon with not much wind but we were all happy to be on our way.

Position 35 24.63N 059 09.19W
Boat Time 1.37pm
Wind Speed 4.9knots Direction 320
Boat Speed 5.7knots Heading 034
Sails Full Main and No.2 jib
Weather Sunny
Miles to go 1474nm

We've just entered into Day 3 and all is well. We had lunch about 30minutes ago, Philip is washing up, Anthony is on watch and Matt is in his bunk.

We've had at least 1 other boat in our sight since we left Bermuda, it seems to change daily or even half daily, yesterday we saw who we believe to be Rita cross our bow 3 times.

Yesterday afternoon we saw 2 whales, the first of our trip and we have a steady flow of jelly fish sailing past. There are a few flying fish still around and we have seen a few birds.

The nights and mornings have been very cold, we've all been wrapping up well. We had a fast night last night with our boat speed between 8 - 10knots and the wind speed between 13 - 26knots.

Looks like we're in for a few slow days now with light winds, things could definitely be worse.

Position 36 56.46N 053 34.29W
Boat Time 11.01am
Wind Speed 13.5knots Direction 114
Boat Speed 8knots Heading 066
Sails Mainsail with 1 reef and No.2 jib
Weather Overcast
Miles to go 1189nm

We've been going up wind for over 24 hours now and as I write this I'm desperately trying to keep myself on the chart table seat as the boat heels over.

Matt & Anthony are both sleeping and Philip is on deck. Its very quiet apart from the waves rushing down the hull and the regular boat noises.

Last night was quite uncomfortable with us slamming over a view waves later in the night. Yesterday, the sky was clear and we passed two boats and two turtles. During the night the cloud came in and is still with us now. We also saw some dolphins this morning heading for the horizon.

The sun seems to be popping through the clouds at the moment so maybe its clearing.

All is well here but I really can't write anymore as its not very comfortable

Position 38 49.21N 050 45.00W
Boat Time 10.43am
Wind Speed 19.9knots Direction 94
Boat Speed 7knots Heading 051
Sails Mainsail with 1 reef and No.2 jib
Weather Cloudy & shower
Miles to go 1039nm

We're still going up wind and I'm still clinging on to the chart table.

Last night was very noisy as we banged over the waves, you could sometimes feel yourself being lifted off the bed, or sofa, in mine & Matt's case as our bed is not seaworthy on starboard tack.

The wind has started to shift round so I think we will tack later today, on to port which will then make getting into the fridge a mission. Cooking dinner last night was hard work and I imagine tonight will be no different but at least the slamming is less than it was in the middle of the night.

No wildlife spotting in the last 24 hours, the waves are quiet large now so the whales could easily slide pass without being noticed.

We're all happy and having a good time, I think we're all hoping for the wind direction to change to make things a little easier.

Must go check on the brownies.

Position 37 32.36N 047 30.68W
Boat Time 10.31am
Wind Speed 18.7knots Direction 92
Boat Speed 7.6knots Heading 136
Sails; Mainsail with 1 reef and No.2 jib
Weather Overcast with sunny patches
Miles to go 895nm

We tacked yesterday before lunch and just to confirm it was the right decision a dolphin popped up at the stern of the boat. The wind has been pretty constant despite our prays to shift it to the North so we can crack off a little.

Over 48 hours of beating upwind is beginning to take its toll and I'm even thinking it might be nice to have supernoodles for lunch and it would be for the second day running!

However, it looks like all this pain is worth it, we are now leading the fleet by a good 30miles. Our weather router, The Admiral is doing a great job, lets just hope he can get us in before Monday, when the new crew arrive to do the final leg home.

The thought of opening the fridge fills me with fear, its definitely a two person job. Although sitting at the chart table is much easier as you just get pushed again the side, no chance of sliding out and falling 5 feet into the heads door.

We are crossing the Florida-Gibraltar shipping lane so have seen 3 ships in the last 12hours, which now makes the total ship count to 5 and we saw another turtle pass this morning.

Anthony is in bed normally this is his sunbathing time but its been to cloudy for him this morning. Matt having cooked us all sausage sandwiches is also in bed and Philip is happily on watch as the sun has just broken through the clouds

Position 37 17.89N 044 23.01W
Boat Time 10.26am
Wind Speed 11.7knots Direction 102
Boat Speed 7.7knots Heading 148
Sails; Mainsail with 1 reef and No.2 jib
Weather Sunny with cloudy patches
Miles to go 750nm

We tacked twice yesterday once about 3pm and then back onto port at midnight. When tacking back onto port our dolphin came back to say hi which was really nice. We've had 2 whale sightings since then, one ship and a pod of dolphins, so we're being kept amused while living in our wonky world.

Last night was a full moon and it was a beautiful night, we even saw the stars, this morning the sky is blue with odd patches of cloud. All we need now is for that wind to shift!

We're been out here a week now, it doesn't really feel that long though, we settled quickly into routine and everyone says they are having a good time.

We didn't get the fleet positions yesterday so we're not sure how we are doing. The Admiral said we were still leading when he looked on the website. Haven't heard anyone on the VHF for a few days now.

Position 37 41.66N 042 17.55W
Boat Time 11.10am
Wind Speed 10.6knots Direction 121
Boat Speed 7.6knots Heading 173
Sails; Full Mainsail and No.2 jib
Weather Sunny
Miles to go 648.2nm

Today we have sunshine and lots of it, there is barely a cloud in the sky. The wind still has a chill in it but its good to see the sun again. Its big smiles all round :-)

We've had 4 whale sightings since yesterday, several visits from dolphins and an increase in sea birds. We've all had our cameras out trying to get some good shots.

Surprise, surprise we are still going up wind and our progress seems to be slower as the wind is not really giving us what we want. We are all still enjoying ourselves and being here a few extra days will actually be quite pleasant.

We are very pleased that we are doing so well on the rest of the fleet we just have to hope the wind stays so they don't put their motors on and head straight for Horta as they will definitely pass us.

Better get some rest before lunch.

Position 38 13.89N 039 36.05W
Boat Time 10.24am
Wind Speed 6.5knots Direction 150
Boat Speed 5.0knots Heading 092
Sails; Full Mainsail and No.2 jib
Weather Very Sunny
Miles to go 517.3nm

Its a beautiful morning out here. Probably the best we've seen this trip. The wind is very up and down between 5 and 10 knots but we are still managing to slide along, its amazing how quiet it is.

Yesterday was a great day, with Matt making chocolate chip cookies for afternoon tea, Philip and Anthony were aroused out of bed by the smell of them. For dinner we then had roast pork with roast potatoes. Our world is a little less wonky and without the big waves which makes living alot easier.

Oh, how could I forget, Anthony shaved his beard off yesterday afternoon, makes him look quite different although he did arrive at the boat beardless.

We were still leading the fleet yesterday but Moonshadow Star has closed the gap to 65miles behind. Just need to hope we keep this breeze and hopefully we can keep the lead.

We've seen a few more whales and dolphins since yesterday which is always a delight for us all.

Position 38 18.27N 035 43.18W
Boat Time 11.23am
Wind Speed 17.9knots Direction 199
Boat Speed 9.1knots Heading 114
Sails; Full Mainsail and No.2 jib
Weather Sunny
Miles to go 334.3nm

Yippee, the wind is back and from the right direction, we are no longer beating upwind.

Yesterday afternoon was a little slow with boat speed being between 5 & 8knots. It was about 2am this morning that the wind started to pick up and now we are flying along.

We're taking the odd wave over the boat. Philip very cleverly moved to the leeward side while Anthony stayed on the high side, I heard the water hit the deck and then some squealing from Anthony, he looked like he'd been showering.

We're all thrilled to be on the move in the right direction and at speed. I think even the dolphins will struggle to keep up with us!

Position 38 11.88N 031 31.87W
Boat Time 10.34am
Wind Speed 17.1knots Direction 214
Boat Speed 9.0knots Heading 097
Sails; Full Mainsail and No.2 jib
Weather Sunny
Miles to go 138.2nm

We've had a storming 24 hours here. Suddenly we've really eaten into the miles and providing the wind stays, this time tomorrow we should be safely tied up to dry land!

Moonshadow closed on our lead yesterday but we're hoping to have kept it the same or made it bigger with this last run.

We're all very excited.

The weather today is beautiful again, just a slight chill in the breeze but we can live with that! The last 2 nights have actually been warmer than some but we've all still got our woolly hats & socks on.

Not much else to say as everything has just been great.

We arrived in Horta Marina at 7.10am on 30th May. Graham, from World Cruising, confirmed over the radio that we were the 1st boat in the fleet to finish. We were really pleased especially as Moonshadow Star crossed the line 40 minutes after us, and they told us how they had really pushed it to try and beat us the last 3 days. All that upwind sailing was definitely worth it. By 5pm that afternoon, Waldek & Nick had arrived for Leg 3 and by Tuesday afternoon Philip & Anthony had both started their journey home. Our 2 nights in Horta, saw us catch up with a few of the other crews that had made it in, dinner in the hot rock restaurant and of course, a few beers in Peters Sports Cafe.

Nick & I touched up the Disco wall painting from 2004 and added his and Waldek's names to it. Then we provisioned the boat and pushed off for the UK, they were still waiting for 14 boats to arrive from Bermuda.