The winds topped out at 15 knots this morning.  I can’t say that we’re disapointed but it was a bit anti-climatic.  The good news is that we are better prepared for the next one with new procedures, extra lines and emergency equipment on hand.

We have started the interior joinery for an Alujuela 38 this month.  This project involves completion of the offshore cruising hull, featured in Ferenc Mate’s book, The Worlds Best Sailboats.  Great Island Boat Yard will be responsible for completing the systems, propulsion, interior, rigging and sail invemtory for this project.  The build will occur over the next three summers.  When complete, she will be sailed on a ten year circumnavigation!

We’ve arrived safely in Cowes.  Quite a journey!  3500 miles in 23 sailing days.  

We spent a day in the Scilly islands and then sailed to Plymouth, where I had to leave for a day to go to work. We then had an exhilarating sail back to Cowes in 30 knot plus winds – the strongest winds of the entire crossing!  So gained a tidal gate and arrived in Cowes a day early.  Tomorrow we are going to sail out of Cowes and then back in for the official welcome!

Robin performed very well – so thanks again for all your work.

Message from Robin at 2005 GMT today, Wednesday 14 July.

 Position 42 27.84N  43 47.67W, course 105T, SOG 8.5kn, wind SW 19kn, lovely clear day, great sailing, all well.  ETA Horta on Faial in the Azores (38 32N  28 38W) Sunday or Monday.

 Message passed from Great Island Boat Yard that new wheel is en route to Mid Atlantic Yacht Services (Duncan Sweet) Horta with FedEx international priority, tracking number 9885 9142 6790.  Simon’s met and routeing info also passed, including probability of strengthening winds from W or SW as a result of new Low 1010 at 55N 51W deepening and moving W.

After seven months of refitting and preparation, Robin has left on her transatlantic passage.  This picture shows departure on July 4th (less important day for English citizens), but as I write this the crew is just south of Newfoundland.