Year 3 -8th September 2026 -St Helena- Cape Verde -Day 6

Julian and I were back on again at 5.00am and it was very dark although we could see a few stars. We were sailing well on the same tack and at a reasonable speed and were not too far off course.

I downloaded the weather and checked where we were and adjusted the next few waypoints to the route suggested and if we carried on like this we should be able to make those waypoints more or less on our current course.

We first noticed some light coming from the East about 6.15am and gradually the horizon became evident and over the next 30 minutes the day began to break and it became light. We turned off the navigation lights and turned the instruments from the night red setting to the normal white setting during the day.

I cut up our last papaya for breakfast and I laid out the breakfast of granola and yoghurt to have with the papaya. I also prepared another loaf as we need one every day. I had some breakfast and then Mark and Dave began to get up and they took over from us at 8.00am. It was a lovely day and the sun began to come out and the sea was relatively calm. We were making good progress and on the route suggested.

I got the loaf in the oven and read my book. Mark and Dave were trying to get the fishing going but the reels are a bit faulty now and so we put out a handline.

We saw little other than flying fish and the odd bird. Mark and Dave set about the daily checks and others rested or chatted.

The 12.00noon 24-hour run was 194 nm which was a good run and aided by the slightly increased wind – more like 15-18 rather than 12-14 – those few extra kts make a big difference. The Baron was flying well and pushing us along nicely. We still had a long way to go and what we needed to do was to keep in the wind as long as possible so that the motoring period across that area which had low winds was as small as possible – The Doldrums and ICTZ.

Paul and John took over at 12.00noon and Mark made some houmous and we had wraps with this, salad and coleslaw. The afternoon wore on and we were clocking up the miles. We probably have another 8-9 days to go to Mindelo- Cape Verde so we are not even halfway. We are like a team with each member doing their bit -watches, cooking, washing up, cleaning, fishing etc. I in addition have to keep everything going and making sure we are doing the right things and sticking to our safety procedures. I also have to navigate, charge the batteries twice a day and to make water so we can have showers, wash up and live a comfortable life on board.

Julian and I took over at 4.00pm and having looked at the weather we are going to have to gybe at some point otherwise we will not be able to maintain the course required. The sun was out and we sat in the cockpit soaking up the rays and enjoying the peace and the swooshing of the water passing by as Stormbird cuts her path through this vast ocean. We saw one ship on AIS pass by with its nearest point being some 13 nm away and so it was not close enough to be visible. We were making 8nm most hours and sailing well and comfortably.     

Dave made his hairy bikers sausage casserole again for supper which was rich in flavour with sweet potato and ordinary mash.

At supper we always have the opportunity to raise concerns or issues. There were 2 today. The first was hatches as I noticed in the heat people were opening hatches to get some air but if we all did this without any control then we could get water in or if we hit anything then it could help sink us quickly. I understand it is hot but we cannot just open a hatch when we feel like it. We therefore came to an agreement – no hatches are to be open at night. In the day if you open a hatch you tell the crew on watch who will then hand over to the next watch so we know what is and what is open. If the watch considers that the conditions are such that they should not be open or need to be shut then they can make that decision. The second issue was about food. John wants to make a frittata for lunch but Paul want his eggs for breakfast. We only have so many eggs that we cannot have eggs twice a day. Therefore we agreed that Paul can have his eggs for breakfast and John can make a frittata for 5 for lunch and Paul can have a sandwich instead. These may seem trivial issues but you need to resolve these issues otherwise they can become a major problem and escalate.

We settled down for another night. It had been a lovely day with good wind and could not have asked for better conditions other than that we can sail direct on our course. However, as I am sure you will appreciate having read my blogs that life is not like that.

I decided that we will leave the gybe until the morning when it is light and we will make the best course we can overnight.

We handed over to Mark and Dave at 8.00pm when it was very dark. The stars were out giving us a fine display and the conditions seemed good for the night.       

 The picture of the day is of the sunset.

 Need/Opportunity Year Three

I am now on the way to 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