A day after waving farewell to La Rochelle,France the Skipper reports that the Oceans of Hope has been “motoring away for 25 hours doing an average of 8 knots” and is “now in the middle of the Bay of Biscay with more than 100 kilometres to any shore.”

He also reported much relief on board that the predicted good weather proved correct with no wind, clear skies and sunshine. This has allowed for a more relaxed approach, because “with such light sailing, little work is needed, and the crew has a chance to be sunbathing on the deck, spotting dolphins in the surface and counting stars at night.”

MS Crew member Ann Dalbjerg told us that the improved conditions have also brought a respite from seasickness saying, “I have been moving around slowly, suffering from seasickness but with a bit of patience (or maybe it was thanks to the gentle Bay of Biscay) I got my reward: a full day without seasickness (a few others were hit by it), a beautiful sunset, my first successful night watch, my second viewing of dolphins, and a stunning sunrise.”

She explains how important this chance to take thing slightly easier is because, “It’s hard work being at sea”, when even the simplest job takes far longer to complete at sea compared to on land.

“I try to remember, that a turtle is slow on ground but fast in the water. We might have MS and do things at a different pace or in a different way, but we are nevertheless part of a great adventure on this voyage around the
world,” she added.

The boat is now approximately 170 nautical miles to their next pit stop in La Coruna, with an estimated time of arrival sometime tomorrow (Wednesday 16 July) morning.