Monday 14 Aug. 10:30.

Only 35 miles to go, with enough wind from the south to sail, without the engine, which has been running since 14:30 yesterday, when choppy seas from several directions killed the boat speed in a dying breeze and made life difficult for Rorbert the autopilot.

Peace!

Now retracing the outward-bound track back in to Egersund, which we should reach this evening.

It has been an uneventful trip, with lots of sea to look at, some birds and remarkably few ships. The odd oil installation came and went, more spectacular at night than in daytime. Some showers, but none heavy, and none to get things really wet in.

For those who are wondering how I’ve done for sleep, the answer is, enough! Gil advised that I should start early with the power-naps, (Ann’s phrase), and so I did, often, with two alarms to wake me up. No problem. After some cycles I woke just before the alarms, which was interesting. The only time I felt at all tired was early this morning, at dawn, when the edges were somewhat grotty, but after two HB eggs on marmited bread, and coffee, all was pretty much back to normal.

The highlight was maybe the dolphins. They came before the first dawn, trailing sparkling fire, especially when at speed before they dived under the bow and came up jumping out of the water the other side. Fantastic performance. They were obviously having fun, and I enjoyed a remarkable show. At times there were more than ten of them, including young/teenagers, who stuck beside their mums and copied every move. The last ones disappeared as late as nine o’clock. My neck got stiff from dashing back and forth in the cockpit and straining to watch. No problem staying alert under those conditions.

Out from Lossiemouth, we were closely followed along the last bit of the Scottish coast by a vessel from the grey-funnel line, whose powerful radar made sharp blipp-noises on my VHF. He must have either got fed up with the slow speed, or approved of Josin, and veered away south and increased speed. The blipps stopped. After that, very little activity.

I must have chosen a good weather window, as conditions have been benign really, except for the seas earlier, which were rather uncomfortable. Today is high-cloud overcast, with another front on its way apparently, but the resulting wind is very welcome.

It will be very nice to get out of all these layers of clothing when we get in, and maybe a priority shower. My rule is that it is much better to feel too warm and divest a layer rather than get cold and try and get warm again. I have been warm!

Just sighted: A skein of geese (I think), ca 40 birds, going south. A bit early isn’t it?

And Christian Radich on the radio. On her way to Haugesund, according to her sailing plan.

All’s well