After a squally night under Topsails the cold front passed through in the early morning and the weather started to clear off and settle into a moderate westerly breeze. At first light we made sail to the Royals and continued on our way, still sailing to the South of East.
We are currently making for Cape Finisterre, at the south end of the Bay of Biscay. There is a low pressure system forecast to come through early in the coming week that will bring strong winds from the south and we are attempting be positioned in a place to take advantage of this, rather than be held up by it. After the system passes through a fine south west breeze is forecast to come up. This will speed us on our way toward the north-central coast of the Bay of Biscay and La Rochelle.
After sunset, in the failing light, taking in sail for the evening more ocean wildlife came by while we were stowing Royals. A solitary fin whale passed close astern of us, lazing along in the small seas, blowing great plumes of spray with each breath. He apparently decided our ship was not worth a second look and slowly swam off into the darkness.
SHIP’S WORK: Rebuilding spare blocks, replace starboard gaff vang, replace starboard Main Royal brace, end-for-end main upper topsail halyard, finish overhaul of Jib sheet pennants
FROM: Lunenburg, NS, Canada
TOWARDS: La Rochelle, France
TIME ZONE: ZD+1
NOON POSITION: 44°28.8’N / 022°25.0’W
DAYS RUN: 129nm
PASSAGE LOG: 1963nm
DISTANCE REMAINING: 905nm
COURSE AND SPEED: ESE, 5kts
WIND: W, Force 4 to 5
WEATHER: Light cloud cover, air temp: 19°C, water temp: 14°C
SWELL HEIGHT & DIRECTION: 4 ft, W’rly
SAILS SET: All Square Sail to the Royals, Inner & Outer Jibs, Main & Mizzen Topmast Staysails, Mizzen Staysail, and Spanker