The Right Direction

20 days out from Panama and we are finally headed in what feels like the right direction. The right direction! I am sure anyone watching our position track has been thinking we're lost, as we have carved a huge reverse-z Zorro slash up the north Atlantic.
We had such a good plan as we passed Bermuda, and (we thought) the weather to go with it. A slowly rising line would carry us straight to the Azores, where a couple of days of shore leave would leave us well rested for the final week back to the UK. Then, about 5 days ago, the so-called Azores High, which drives much of the weather in this part of the Atlantic, jumped about 500 miles to the west. Overnight, we were confronted by a huge region of either no winds, or east winds, that effectively blocked our route. It was as if a huge gate slammed shut in front of us. Clunk.
The only way past it was 500 miles north, where the westerlies blow more or less consistently. However, our forecast showed basically no wind between us and where we needed to be, and getting there would take all our remaining diesel fuel. It was very much looking like we were going to need to divert to Newfoundland to re-fuel, which could easily have delayed my arrival in the UK until after Sara and Emily are to arrive. Not good.
With little choice, we turned north. Fortunately, there was enough wind to push us along, and even though it was taking us back west a bit, we were making important miles to the north. Amazingly, the wind gods continued to smile on us for the next 3 days, and we made good steady progress, without burning valuable diesel. Yesterday we finally turned the corner and are now pointed more or less directly at SW Ireland, where we plan on making landfall. We are currently just under 1800 nm away, which we hope to cover in around 12 days, assuming of course the wind continues to cooperate.
For now, we are moving nicely along, under blue skies, and smooth seas. And every mile is pointed at the finish line.