Left Antigua for the Azores
Bonkers
Donald Macdonald
Wed 8 May 2024 21:28
This morning had an English breakfast, very nice too. Then the deprture jobs started.
I went off and cleared boat and us from Customs and Immigration and on the way back filled repaired jerry can of diesel. John cleared his bunk and put bike in there and generally prepped boat to sail. Next was moving some heavy stuff from rear of boat to forward cabin as when seen from ashore very stern down. Items moved were the dinghy, code zero sail, jerry cans of water, spare food (none rusty cans). Taped up forward hatch as leaks with water washing over deck as perspex seems to have a curve and does not squash the seal the same all the way around. Spent last of Caribben Dollars on bread and some soft drink cans. Left with just 45 cents.
Left the dock at midday expecting to be motoring for 24 hours. Once cleared the reef north of Antigua and on course 050 for the Azores ther was erratic breeze coming from all directions and strengths. Near the shore we saw a water spout that did not seem to move far and kept goig for about 15 minutes, it got very fat for a while then back to normal and collapsed.
Wind came in 15-20 knots direction 350 -030 and had this for a couple of hours now. The sea is horrible as very confused about which way it wants to go. Down here writing this is not pleasant as banging off waves and irregular movements. We are on port tack heeled over not good for cooking as everything wants to be on the floor.
Not sure what is for dinner as have not looked in cupboards as can smell stuff so something may have exploded. Let you know tomorrow.