As the long range weather forecast for the Western Approaches seems good (no tropical hurricanes forecast, calms instead...), I have decided to head directly for Europe. Flores, the westernmost island of the Azores, is almost due south from my position, but some 150 miles away. Cape Finisterre still 994 and the Lizard 1194.

During the past week I sailed due east, skirting the southern edge of a big Low, which is currently stationary west of Ireland. It gives gale force winds all over, but here, on the southern edge, only some 15 knots. This morning, the wind steadily decreased, so around noon I took the decision to gybe and sail ENE to look for some wind. Indeed, the wind slowly increased again to 15/20 knots. Perfect sailing with poled out jib. Further, tomorrow a cold front will pass, and the further north I am the better it will be; am I too far south the wind will veer all the way to the northeast; am I sufficiently far north, the wind will only veer from west to northwest.

Last night I saw a fish inspecting the lure. At first I thought is was a dolphin, and felt sorry for that. But later I realized that, although this fish had a dorsal fin on it's back, it looked much more like the blue fin tuna's from the book. It twisted around the lure a few times, and was then gone. What a pity! I have nog caught anything since that single bluefish on the way to New York.

Bart

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