Shenanigan - Whales and Stowaways

We are now a week into our journey back to Blighty from the Azores.  The first few days we enjoyed fabulous sailing before the wind died and the sun vanished. We motored and we motored in search of wind, eventually managing to sail again in a millpond sea.  The still sea meant that we were easily able to spot lots of whales which appeared all around us. An enormous whale (fin whale we think)surfaced a bit too close for comfort when it came alongside; a fabulous sight, but as advised we turned the engine on to deter it especially as it was bigger than the boat! Nothing much else to report until a racing pigeon decided to hitch a lift last night for the night. Christopher spoke to him (?) and tried to feed him.  Brian was flapping his arms and making strange pigeon noises to try and encourage him to flyaway. He did fly but straight into the cabin! Rescued from the washing up strainer he huddled (the pigeon not Brian!) under the solar panel for the night to keep warm.  He left early this morning. Still no sight of the sun and it is very, very cold - especially at night on watch. Last bit of journey proving a bit tricky as typically, on this route, the winds are westerly and not north easterly as we are experiencing.  Fortunately, the sea is still flat so we are not pounding into the waves. We didn't have the typical weather for the ARC last year either - are the weather patterns changing Mr Tibbs? Heading for Falmouth still but depending on time of day and winds may aim straight for Plymouth.