After 20 hours engine hours during this calm, wind catch up from the SE again and we can rig the Code 0 ... the sunny sky vanished n all become grey, the jib replace the Code 0, we start to cross the road of tankers and cargo ships, but ALCYONE  still progress at 6k north of the direct rhumb line, then the wind vanished again on 4th of July.

   This time after software simulations we conclude that instead of motoring in front of the depression, we could wait for it and save a lot of gas oil to arriving in Canada only 2 hours later. We decide to drift in the calm...and make our best 24 hours ride: 48 milles...a good choice as this calm bring us a lot of surprise and the dep , much stronger than expected will bring us at 20 milles from Juan de Fuca strait, the channel between USA n CANADA.

   We wonder again where is the usual wheather as again all seems to be uppside down ? All books n specialist warn you about the usual huge NE pacific high and advise to sail north to turn widely around it and find westerlies and this time in summer, we could have sailed almost on the rhumb line with this depression...


First fog around 42N...


And the AIS shows the first crossing tankers n cargo ships, very trustfull alarm when they are at 9,9milles, 

First Albatros in the north hemisphere, at 43°N



And as GFS predict: An 8 hours calm with blue sky;  we  drift  engineless to wait for the depression moving east

Drifting without engine attract unexpected visitors


including this respectable blue shark ...
during one hour, we saw him around the rudder...
No question to swim...I don't know this guy: the waterproof camera is strapped on the hook...
...with the timer in..
One of the greatest pleasure on ALCYONE: starting to sail again on a flat water with the Code 0 
From 3k on the side the cat move... 
...at the speed of the wind
     
After this short break, The depression  arrive and we ll not see the sun before  arrival
On 7th, we use the heater for the first time n the reefing party begin

2nd reef n 3 rolls on jib, no question  to accelerate on te closed reach...
                     
Why dressing?  Best is to do reverse: quick action in "moule bite", then an  express rinse n the heater inside !
8th: With this short nasty sea n gusting wind,: 3rd reef before the night n max speed 6k...let 'sleep n  accelerate later 
Less 200 milles to run, why taking risk with these gusts : Closer to the wind:to many shocks, Less: a risk of flip over.


Better to be inside n check the cargos wich are more n more frequent