Wednesday 9th September (Lini’s Journal)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Fri 18 Sep 2009 21:34


�� My planned early night and good night�s sleep didn�t materialise with emailing problems last night then a racing mind. We were awake early and set about pre-departure tasks. Everything from eBook readers to mobile phones went on charge while we still had shore power and Si fitted the rudder onto the Hydrovane necessitating an early morning paddle on the bathing platform, He then tested the lifetag alarm by walking off down the pontoon. The shrieking alarm left us in no doubt if one of us goes overboard on night watch, the other one will be woken up. It didn�t do much for my nauseous headache though. I took more pain killers.

�� The wind had settled into a very pleasant northerly with marvellous sunshine, so it was rather frustrating that Si had to go back into town before our departure. He was expecting a bank card to be delivered to this branch and had hoped to pick up some items from the chandlery due for delivery today. I waited�� I pottered, setting up the leecloths for the sea berths and doing everything I could to prepare for the off. I waited longer��.. At 11.20am Si rang with annoying news that neither his card nor boat bits had arrived. He went for a coffee then brought more pasties back for lunch. The phone rang � his card had arrived. He woofed down his pasty and ran back into town. I waited, watching our perfect day slipping away. Eventually just around 1.30pm we left Falmouth in glorious sunshine and light airs: What a contrast to our arrival.

�� Although the coastline was very picturesque our minimal speed with the light following winds was making me wonder if we would ever actually get to Spain. I suggested we fly the cruising chute or Parasailor. Si was a little reluctant with a possible gale forecast but in the end pulled the chute onto the foredeck. No sooner had he secured the tack, the wind picked right up. �It�s always the same�, he said, �One sniff of a spinnaker and the winds increase!� He�s always right. We were now broad reaching at very respectable speeds with only the genoa and with growing seas and a horrible rolling motion we decided we were doing quite alright without the mainsail which would be thrashing all over the show anyway. I braved the galley and cooked pasta bolognaise for dinner having to hold the pans on the cooker. As the sun dropped into the ocean ahead, England faded and dropped away behind us. We watched the remnants of the sunset with mugs of steaming hot green tea and I retired to my bunk commencing our three hour watch routine. Inside the galley cupboards crockery and containers were still crashing around despite a major reshuffle. Outside waves crashed around the boat. Sleep was impossible.

�� I surfaced from the sea berth at 11.45pm allowing fifteen minutes to get myself ready for my watch. That was a laugh! On top of my thermal socks, long thermal top, fleece top and fleece lined trousers I added deck boots, salopettes, another fleece, hat, waterproof jacket and lifejacket. I tied my knife to my trousers, clipped my lifetag round my wrist, shoved the PLB (Personal Location Beacon) in my pocket and staggered up on deck five minutes late. Phew! I clipped a lifeline to my lifejacket and took my seat on the rollercoaster.����������������������������������������������� ---Lini---