Year 3 -5th September 2026 -St Helena- Cape Verde -Day 3

The night went well from a gust perspective and there was no need to take the Baron down. However, shortly7 after the Baron had been put up the wind backed by about 30+ degrees from about 130 degrees to 95-100 which put us off course by 3 degrees or so. Whilst we were therefore making good progress we were going a little but in the wrong direction. We had set the Baron at 135 degrees off the wind and I changed it to 130 but we had agreed not to play around with it at night. We therefore made what progress we could and we were making 7-8 kts which was good in 12-17 kts winds.

The night went on and Julian and I were on again at 5.00am and we were some 10+ nm off course – not a lot over 000’s miles. As it became light I started to adjust the sail and came from 130 to 115 degrees off which made a difference.

There was a lot of cloud cover and although the sun showed its face for a second as it rose, it disappeared behind cloud. Mark got up and we chatted re our course and the wind is due to gradually come round to 150 over a number of days. I considered getting the Baron down and going on to white sails to get back on course. However, this sail is very forgiving and I had read it will cover from 90-180 off the wind. We therefore pulled in the tack and the sheet which flattened the sail and we changed from 115-90 and the sail took it giving us 25 degrees of change. This coincided with a change of wind in our favour and we were soon back on track and we did not need to take the Baron down.

I cut up a papaya and we had this with granola and yoghurt for breakfast. Mark and Dave took over at 8.00am and the sun gradually began to appear and we were soon basking in sun. Yes it is still around. The sky cleared, the sea was relatively flat and we were sailing well and now on track – Champayne Sailing – but alas without the champagne.

Mark and Dave put out the fishing rod and did the daily checks. We had to put a cable tie on the topping lift shackle, and tie up the light on the safety U ring. There is always something to do. I had a rest and then a shave and a shower which makes a difference. To be able to have a shower a day is a luxury which is not always possible on other yachts as long as the water maker is working. I even managed to pick up my book to read which I have not been able to do for weeks.

Mark and Dave had made egg mayonnaise for lunch with meats and salads with Mark’s new loaf of bread he made yesterday. The 12.00noon run was 185nm which was not bad.

Paul and John took over at 12 noon.  

The afternoon wore on and the sun continued with various crew sunning themselves and enjoying the warmth we have not really had. We are getting nearer to the Equator so it would be worrying if it was not getting warmer.   

Julian and I took over at 4.00pm and we enjoyed the sun and the fact were doing about 6 kts in a calm sea. We all remarked we had seen little wildlife other than flying fish and the odd Albatross but as we go North this is declining. We have also seen no ships since we left St Helena and we seem to have the ocean to ourselves.

The sun began to decline in height and warmth and dropped down behind some clouds so there was not a good sunset. We prepared for the night gradually. I made some water and charged the batteries and all was well. Mark had made another loaf of bread and he also cooked a spaghetti bolognaise which we all thought was delicious eating out of our sailing bowls in the dark.

It had been a good day made particularly by the appearance of the sun and we had made good but slow by our standards progress. You cannot rush these crossings and you just have to deal with the conditions you are given. It could be a lot worse and we are enjoying the journey and the moment.    

 The picture of the day is of the sun going down behind the Blue Baron.

 Need/Opportunity Year Three

I am now on the way to St Helena, Cape Verde, Azores and 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