For the last week as we meandered south I have been keeping an eye on the weather with a view to finding a window of settled conditions to make a 700 mile dash for Canada.
Yesterday we were caned by a harsh gale from the south and so we were 'forced' to spend more time in the hotel plugged into their "free" Wi-fi combing the weather portals.
By last night I was pretty confident that I had spotted a weather window opening up this morning that would see us safely across the Davis Strait without too much drama. I wasn't sure though so we hedged our bets and steered a course for Nuuk but also checked out of Greenland declaring Lewisporte, Canada as our destination.
This morning's weather files still looked good so, once underway, I shot off an email to a team of meteorologists who advise yachties for a living. By lunchtime we had the answer. The window was, indeed, open and the forecast was for a relatively calm crossing with a more lively bit in the middle. We altered course a few degrees to starboard and watched the mist swathed mountains of Greenland sink below the horizon. We are sad to be leaving this country of wonders but excited to be on our way south and westwards to the New World and, once again, following in the wake of the Vikings.
Let's just hope the weather gods agree with the forecasters!