Distance coverd in past 24 hours 137 NM, distance to Horta, Azores 415 NM.
Yesterday was a slow day motoring gently in light winds and calm seas. By night time the wind dropped to just five or six knots and, with an adverse tide, we were making headway at less than five knots. Fortunately from early morning the winds picked up and since 5.30 am we’ve been able to make way under sail, giving the engine a well deserved break.
There have been some highs and lows. The low point occurred yesterday evening when our freshwater supply suddenly stopped (the freshwater pump had mysteriously stopped working). Initial attempts to fix it proved fruitless. This morning I was forced to start the process of dismantling the old pump to try and replace it with a spare we keep on board. Miraculously, in the process of removing the old pump, it suddenly started to work again. The most likely explanation is probably a loose wire but it is difficult to get access to the back of the machine which is like a complex black box. Nonetheless, we are back to having a working water supply and will keep our fingers crossed that this lasts until Horta, if not Gibraltar.
Our high point was a large pod of dolphins that played in our bow wave this morning. I was able to get a lovely picture of them.