Beautiful conditions today. Idyllic. Lots of wind overnight, we made 216 nautical miles noon to noon. Hope to arrive Horta around 6 pm tomorrow. Milder all day and we spent much time laughing in the cockpit. My TED talk today was on energy, today and future. It is now in the hands of the next generation to shame the politicians into some real action.
Jackie’s interactive TED talk on bread making was a hit. We got much-kneaded learning. DInner was delicious home cooked tarka dal, along with home made bread.
We are all happy to be in more restive seas. The gymnastics of showering and other activities with constant movement can be exhausting. I swear I became momentarily airborne during a shower. I have a pee stance that would thwart Strahan.
Moondance and the crew compliment one another in quiet competency. We hear the loads from below as we ease a loaded jib sheet and marvel at her construction. She is built for the high seas but has the creature comforts. We averaged over 9 knots over ground the past 24 hours, often at 10 or better. What we ask of her would be akin to asking your camper to climb Pike’s Peak while simultaneously lifting a Volkswagon onto its back while making it smooth enough inside to have a shower and bake a loaf of bread. Best of all, despite her heavy construction, we were able two days ago to coax 7 knots of boat speed out of her, for a short while, in 7 knots of breeze. Take that Winnebago.
Mary and Annie are in Horta! We cannot wait to see them. Mary is scoping things out and has already provided invaluable information, like we can get off the boat even if we arrive after the customs office closes. I read in the guide book one startling requirement, which luckily appears to be only lightly enforced. Apparently the Captain of a vessel has to produce for the authorities a “Certificate of Competence.” Excuse me, but if we just sailed 2000 miles across the open ocean in 11 days, shouldn’t we be awarded a Certificate of Competence?
Love to all, MJ
St. Martin -> Newport 
jackie…need to know how to make bread. more importantly….how are you doing breafast , lunch and dinner….love you! but want to know your secrets…..
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Ah so happy u soon will be seeing land! Great blog all! Felt like we have been on the trip the whole time!! 😄
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Wow, you just keep going faster. Sailboats seem to be an almost perfect interchange of wind energy to mass movement and with such grace as on a pretty Swan. I always marvel at moving that displacement at that speed with a little puff of wind. Then you have the VOR’s in front of you by a few weeks who make it from Newport to Lisbon in nine days. Probably not while making fresh bread every day. What’s coming next? Touché on the certificate of confidence and congrats. Nothing like a port after that distance with loved ones on the dock.
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Mary has your back!! 😽😽
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As always!
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Dear Michael and Moondance crew, we have absolutely loved following your adventure via your blog. What an amazing journey! Thank you for the stories, the highlights, all the expression and the pictures, everything, we feel like we have truly been able to enjoy this journey with you. I would’ve loved to have been just a fly on the mast and watch all of the activities. Dwight just said, he would have been a seasick fly. 😊 Michael, I shared your link with all of my family too. Thank you so much for writing and including us all!
Carry on and continue to have a fabulous time and a safe journey. Much love, Becky and Dwight
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Thanks Becky, love to you and your family as well.
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We have arrived at the Azores, aka Yarmouth. What’s taking you so long??? LOL. We have a new appreciation for all of you as i am beat after 8.5 hours on the sea. Our top speed which we did not maintain was 8.3 knots. you guys are our heros. Hugs to all. Good night. Kissing the moon Liz.
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“Moondance and crew compliment each other in quiet complacency” … love it and sense it. Michael, thanks for having put together such an incredible team. ❤️
Ditto on Becky’s comment/sentiments! 😊
Mary and Annie, so wonderful you’re able to greet your/our family with warm and tight embraces. 🙂
~ ’til the rest of us are able to ourselves, please do give Cam & Liz, an extra tight squeeze from me/us! Xo 🙂 ❤️
Continued wishes for safe and happy sailing Xo
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Steve and I are laughing at your closing remarks! Good luck going ashore! Thank you again for your updates and pictures!
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Mary/Annie, meant to say, pu-leez do give ” ALL” the Moondance family an extra tight squeeze of warm embrace from me/all of us on shore … & ok to give Cam a “super” tight hug…blame me if he complains! 😉 Thanks in advance! XO
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Happy Fathers Day to the dads on board, as well as those on shore that are hanging on every post and photo upload. Enjoy landfall!
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Happy Father’s Day to those on Moondance. Thanks for sharing your day with our children. And, Happy Father’s Day to those on shore who’ve been sharing in this adventure via this phenomenal blog.
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Land Ho!!!!!! Liz spotted the peak of Pico from 45 nm out. She was at the bow and slid back quietly to whisper Land Ho. After we confirmed, she shouted it out so that those below popped their heads up like meercats, squinting in the Bright Azorian sunlight. Land Ho? Yep!
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Hi all so glad you are seeing land…how rainy has it been? It’s raining in Medford/Boston as I write so was curious how hard rain makes the conditions out there. Happy Father’s Day and wishing all a safe sail to Horta! Land and relief ho!
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Happy Father’s Day to you Dads aboard! Thanks for watching over my girl. I can hear her whisper now! She was always great at seeing the Sagamore bridge first as a kid! She wanted the coveted quarter that was the prize! Must be so exciting for all of you after so many days of looking at the horizon of sea meeting sky! Liz, we will be with Pop-pop and family from 4 EST till ??? If you can call, you can say hi to all when you land! I am certain it is the only gift he will want about now. Maybe he will actually sleep tonight. Love and hugs to all and looking forward to the Horta pics!
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And thanks Cam and Liz for the call yesterday!
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Watch those wiggly sea legs when you reach Land! Those crew legs that are use to walking sideways in the galley and as mentioned going airborne in the shower from a wave! Sending hugs and prayers for the rest of your journey!
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