Day 4: Bay of Biscay

The warm weather seems to be ever closer as Day 4, Wednesday 6th October, opens upon us with clear skies and a light breeze. La Coruna lies approximately 80 miles to the south, whilst we are yet 100 miles shy of Finisterre. Breakfast this morning was a triumph - porridge and warm rolls
care of our culinary genius Major are always a trea (especially when they come after 'pasta pesto' - never a treat, especially in the eyes of the two Italians aboard - Valeria Rosa and Christian Talpo). As the crew become more rested and learn to settle into the watch system, increasing numbers seem to be awake towards the end of their six hours off during the day. This has created more time for starting to manage the domestic arrangements a little better - which can only be a good thing as the boat is beginning to smell medievally male, despite all efforts with our fantastic aromatherapy air freshener (thanks Kate x).

Awake by nine this morning (and not due on until midday), I allowed myself, for example, three luxuries - washing myself (hair wash not allowed until after one week), washing my socks etc. and a vaguely successful attempt at brushing my hair. BLISS. Odours might be marginally improved by increasingly successful bread baking and seasickness finally being left behind in our wake, but it seems our neoprene-lined boots are compounding the cheese factor! A universal sock-washing order will no doubt soon be announced.

Still on starboard tack, we have had a difficult night in terms of keeping the boat going in the light and somewhat fickle winds which saw a series of sail changes; the sail plan was altered from head sails (No.1 and staysail) to flanker (the heaviest kite, 2.2oz), back to head sails, to the 1.5oz spinnaker, and now, at 9.36 GMT, the 0.75oz (which we are currently flying close to the edge). Needless to say we have got through a lot of wool in the packing and re-packing process and it is a case of wellies on, wellies off, ad infinitum, in an effort to tread softly around our precious kites. Anyone not obeying this rule is soon barked at by each and every member of the sail-repair team (the tiniest of holes could lead to endless hours sewing!)

Against a backdrop of a magnificent night sky, sporadically illuminated by brilliant shooting stars, the tension of those on the 10-2a.m. watch was also compounded by the fact that a yacht was sighted off the starboard quarter. This meant one of two things - we had either made significant ground on the race leaders, Spirit of Sark, or we had lost ground to one of the yachts behind - Barclays Adventurer or Team Stelmar. Agonisingly, we will not know our fate until the position reports later this morning....