Year 3 -24th September 2026 - Sao Vicente, Cape Verde to Faial -Azores – Day 5

I had the 5.00am to 8.00am watch and when I took over we were going too fast. I reefed a bit and then enjoyed the quiet for a while and wrote the blog. There were some stars and the odd cloud but the moon had gone by now. I began to see a glimmer in the East about 6.20am and gradually it got lighter and the horizon definition  became evident but the sun did not actually come up through the ocean until 7.47am. It was orange against the horizon clouds and we were ready for the day. The boat was changed from night settings to day.

Prior to this the wind began to die and so about 7.30am the sails came in and I got the engine on and we had to motor for a while.

Mark & Dave came on at 8.00am and I had been looking at the weather closely on my watch and so I discussed it with Mark. Tropical Storm Fay was still around and had the potential to develop into a depression but it was a long way West of us and moving West so it was not going to be an issue. The AEW off Africa was looking like it was going to develop further but it is a few hundreds of miles South of Cape Verde and we were now several hundreds of miles North of Cape Verde. Whilst it’s anticipated direction of travel is North or Northwest and it could travel hundreds of miles we should be well North of when it hopefully peters out. One still to be watched.

The real issue for us was the low which comes in across the Azores on the morning of the 28th September 2026 bringing 25-32 kts winds and so we agreed we need to delay our forward motion so we reach Waypoint 2245  (a point past which we do not want to go) by say 6.00pm on the 27th September so we need to limit our speed to about 6kts an hour to achieve this. We set this strategy and will review it later in the day.

It was another lovely day with sun and white high-pressure clouds and a relatively calm sea state. I decided to get breakfast and cut up two fresh pineapples we got in Cape Verde as they needed eating. We had our usual granola and yoghurt with it. Dave and Mark went about their daily checks. Paul got up and made some eggs and bacon. It is his wedding anniversary today and we wish him and Mrs J a happy anniversary.

I had heard from Julian that he had picked up a bug or something on the plane or at the hospital and had been laid a bit low but he was feeling better today although frustrated that he has to sit still and cannot do much.

I had a rest and the good ship Stormbird continued forward at a slow speed. It is quite difficult to sail slowly and I think requires more skill than trying to sail fast.

The staysail needed its leech line tightening and so we discussed doing this when next motoring. We therefore slowed the boat down and got the staysail partially down and then Paul tightened it on the deck. We then hoisted it and then put it out with the genoa and one reef in the main. We were sailing again and had no flapping of the staysail. After a little time the wind increased so we took the staysail in and sailed under genoa and main with suitable reefs to limit our speed as planned.

The 24-hour run to 12.00noon was 138nm reflecting our deliberate reduction in speed. Lunch was our usual houmous, meats, cheese and salad but alas – no coleslaw for a change!!

Mark decided to make a lemon drizzle cake – as you do!. He got on with it and the smells were wonderful whilst it was in the oven. I helped hold the cake once cooked so he could drizzle on the lemon topping. It was then left to cool whilst it set but everyone’s mouth was drooling (apart from Paul who is not into sweet things -all the more for us I thought).

The afternoon went by with us resting, chatting and reading. The fishing line went out but to no avail. We do not know what we are doing wrong. Perhaps it is the lures.

I looked through my plotter cards as the current plotter card was for Africa and does not give the details of the coast in the Azores. I found the Central Europe and Uk one which covers the Azores and put it in. Although it is out of date (there will not have been a lot of changes) it worked and so this card will last me all the way home.

I took over at 4.00pm when we all had tea and lemon drizzle cake (apart from Paul). It was so good that we had to have 2 pieces leaving the rest for tomorrow. The sun shone and we continued slowly toward waypoint 2245 as planned and all was well.

Mark made a beef stew with vegetables for supper which was very good. He normally makes it with Guinness but alas we had none on board. The sun began to lower. I handed over to Mark and Dave but it did not get dark until 8.30pm.

We settled down to continue to sail in the night with the possibility of some lessening of the wind which may require motoring. We should have more about 8.00am tomorrow and then by lunchtime it peters out and we are likely to have to motor until we get to waypoint 2245. We shall see how it pans out. I did check the weather and I got a slight sense that the system hitting the Azores I the 28th may be lessening slightly but let’s see as it is still 4 days away.

I am due on at 2.00am so it is time to get some rest.

 The picture of the day is of course a proud Mark with his lemon drizzle cake! Delicious it was too. Food is so important on board.

 Need/Opportunity Year Three

I am now on the way to Cape Verde, Azores and back to the UK.  At present I am full and there will be a change of 3 crew in the Azores for the final passage back to the UK.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com