Hello everyone!

I have just woken up as the wind has dropped a little and Roxy has changed motion
slightly. The half moon is brightly lighting up the sky and I can see a squall cloud
ahead that marks the return of the wind, probably with the strengthening that is
forecast. I am ready to change from Solent to Staysail...

I had a bit of a shock just now as there was an EYE staring up at me from the
cockpit floor, like in a scary movie! I guessed that it had been ejected in a
high-impact collision between fish and boat, and I am sure I will find its owner in
the morning. I just don't want to tread on it with bare feet!

The peaceful days of trade wind sailing are soon behind me as I start to have to
manoeuvre around and across the Azores high pressure. I am going to need some big
energy reserves to do the manoeuvres and stacking required in the next few days.
Maybe, when I tack and change the stack, I will find where my Imp has stashed away
the head torches, socks, scissors, winch grease and Nutella; well, maybe not the
Nutella! If I were to find the Imp perhaps I could train him to help me stack the
gear...

Now the finish is getting nearer, I am starting to look forward to things that I
haven't thought about much before, like fresh fruit and vegetables and a long hot
shower. I wonder if I'll be able to lie still for a whole night's sleep?

S x"