Thanks all for the ideas.
I think that you are suggesting I play, save before a refuel, restart with the setting to "1-day", reload, refuel (losing the mission in the process apparanetly?) then play on until I am close to ending, save, restart with setting to "random days", reload and end the mission? That takes a lot of time, seeing how it takes up to 8 minutes to do a reload on this "poor"
2 Gb P4-3 Ghz.
Uhm... that solution, though workable, doesn't adress the biggest problem (for me now): the loss of orders. I was under the impression I needed orders to gain renown - "do-as-you-please" sailing seems hardly fair or realistic?
I do like the orders since they send me to spot I'd nowmally never go.
Don't get me wrong, I tremendously appreciate all the answers and suggestions. I am, after all, a mere bilgrat...