Past the Azores

Brian Thompson updates us on his Vendee Globe qualifier on Pindar

The sun has just come up on another Monday morning commute and I am on the way west. Nothing on the radio, no traffic on the route, a few rain clouds, just passed the last service station 80 miles back, the Azores, next services 3,400 miles ahead, the Happy Eater Gosport.

Good downwind sailing at present with J1 and one reef, the wind will be steadily increasing and by tonight I will be going through a cold front with 30 knots of breeze. I am all prepared and spent most of the day yesterday going through the boat from front to back, emptying out any water, fixing leaks to the inner forestay and the aft ballast tanks. I also spent time preparing the sails, stacking the equipment, checking the motor and the keel hydraulics, as well as having a wash and a shave. I had plenty of sleep last night so boat and I ready to go.

Sailed within 20 miles of Sao Miguel island yesterday late afternoon, the capital of the Azores, took a couple of pictures of it for you, one with our starboard outrigger looking ready to deliver a broadside to the Portugese...Sailed along the south shore of the island watching the lights of the towns come on, and as I left the island behind, the loom of its lights extended 50 miles away in the crystal clear air. At the same time the Milky Way was spectacular above me.

Brian