We finally left Lagos on Thursday 6th, a short trip along the coast that day (staying inside the 20m contour and inside the Tuna nets to avoid Orcas) quite windy when we anchored at Sagres. Next day we coast hugged until Cape St Vincent then set course for the Azores, keeping north of the Traffic Separation Scheme. It was a relief to get away from the coast and the threat of Orca attacks, also all the fishing buoys, and to get into a proper watch system for the ocean passage. Wind at the start died away, some motoring, some days sailing really slowly, one flying the mended cruising chute, another sailing peacefully at 3 to 4 knots on a close reach in about 7-9 knots apparent wind – idyllic with sunshine and bright blue seas, we aren’t in a hurry. Then lots of wind from ahead for the last two days. A good wind shift allowed us speed towards our destination and arrive on Friday afternoon at the small marina at Vila do Porto on the most eastern of the Azores islands Santa Maria. Saw 2 large pods of dolphins and some pilot whales as we got near Santa Maria;also started to see seabirds at this point some terns and flocks of Corey’s Shearwater.