Last night under a double reefed main and no jib we steadily watched the wind increase to 32 knots from our port quarter. Poor old skipper woken up from his slumbers to help get the main down and we rolled out some jib. We kept this sail plan up during a very bumpy night until now and we have rehoisted a triple reefed main to keep up our average speed for a daylight approach to Mindelo. We made the decision two days ago to head more south, away from any possibility of strong headwinds , we were wary of not having enough diesel for the trip across to St Lucia as we had motored through flat calms already but now we are definitely pulling in and probably staying until this storm to the north and west of us releases its grip on the proper trades. As I type the boys are having fun seeing who can go surf the waves the fastest - so far 14 knots!