Saturday 19th June – Day 13 At Sea (Lini’s Journ al)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Wed 23 Jun 2010 17:10
Simon and I have been together for six years today and what a simply
wonderful time it has been: He is without doubt the love of my life. I
am so very lucky to have someone so special in my life and we’ve
shared so many amazing times together. With bad weather due later
today I was undecided first thing whether or not to attempt a slap up
dinner tonight, but during my dawn watch I baked fresh bread and
croissants to start his day. Our jaws are pleased to report that this
bread with different yeast and a different recipe was far more
suitable for eating than throwing!
White horses slowly gathered on the waves as we plodded along
waiting for the next low. The wind direction prevented us from staying
on course and a current is whooshing us even further east. Our boat
speed was abysmal as we rolled around in the light airs, but I got
ahead with chores while conditions allowed. By mid-afternoon clean
thermals hung on hangers from the boom and meals were prepared for the
next day or so. The pot of cooked vegetables was strained making
tomato and basil soup with the runny half and Thai curry paste added
to the chunky half. I chopped oranges and kiwis for breakfast and
prepared vegetables for tonight’s dinner, then I settled down for a
little doze while Si did just one more Suduko…………..At 4pm as I write
my journal with Si napping below, the sun is shining and the skies are
still clear until the band of low cloud above the horizon: I’m now
wishing I’d cooked that special dinner. Hoi Sin Beef with mash and
steamed vegetables wasn’t too shabby though and we can look forward to
a double celebration when we reach Flores.
The evening GRIB files suggest things shouldn’t get too blowy and
the front will probably hit us around 10pm. I had my head down by 7pm
but it was noisy again with rolly seas and radio nets. Luckily it was
passing ships that kept me on my toes and not strong winds through my
first watch. After my second watch I am officially called ‘Lini Loadsa
Mates’ after a steady stream of ships popped up on the plotter, one
900ft cargo vessel needing a close eye as it passed only a mile off
our bow. I furled the headsail away in growing seas so Si could sleep
free from crashing blocks and flogging canvas and we made good
progress with just the mainsail. The wind then slowly built giving us
the power to punch through rather than roll with the seas and by the
end of watch it was gusting 28knots and time for another reef.