Hope it gets sorted! I took lots of water over the bow coming to Ireland - lots found it’s way below through the chain pipe which had lost its rubber bung! Fortunately it had a tether so I could replace it! Lots of bailing out though! Scary when it’s coming above the floorboards!

This was the Jester Challenge to the Azores but whilst not an official entrant due to boat size I was stalking the event and met up with all the Jesters. I’ve completed 2 previous Jesters in Katy. It was also great meeting Pete Goss one of the real hard core ultimate solo sailors. 

It was a perfect start and Cara sailed beautifully. Not the ideal wind direction but when is it ever. Once I got round the Finistere     TSZ Cara had water coming over the sole boards and the heads were flooded. The Atlantic coming on aboard as an uninvited guest is always a time for reflection and mild panic. 

I pumped everything out but there was still an ingress of water. Realistically I could have continued and kept pumping periodically but I didn’t want to take the risk so opted for a return to the UK and if it got really bad go in to France. 

I’m now reporting from the Shipwrights Arms in Helford which is a far more convivial location for dealing with a leaky boat than the North Atlantic. The Azores will still be there for another day. 



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