We've got Wind !!!

Cat-man-do
Mon 2 Jun 2008 13:18
No not that sort! Well maybe a little, but I blame Andrews' cooking........
The patience has finally paid off and the Northerly "Trade Winds" are here. They were forecast at a nice gentle 15 knots or so, which would have been ideal for us, but as is the way with these things we had about 27 knots (F6) last night, so it was down to a reefed Jib and the main. We are making good time though, and the wind has eased today and the Sun's come out. It still can't be called warm though. The seas have also moderated as they were quite "choppy" last night, with waves breaking over the Bow of the boat on a pretty frequent basis.
We are now about 400 and odd miles from Cape St Vincent at the bottom of Portugal, with another 25 odd miles to go after that into Lagos.
I'm pretty happy as I was convinced it was Monday yesterday, as I quoted in some E mails. So in fact we're going to arrive a day earlier than I thought. Although we only started sailing proper about 2 yesterday afternoon, we stilled managed 153 miles yesterday, so with a bit of luck a few extra on top of that today.
We note from some of Rebel Ts' blogs that they seem to have names for everything. Like Maximus, David and Goliath etc. So we thought we'd put some to our items too.
They are:
Genoa: Gemima
Jib: Jennifer
Engines: Hansel and Gretel (though don't know which one's which.
It's with mixed feelings I approach the final stages of this trip as usual. I don't want the experience to end, and as usual I'm pretty relaxed and "at home" out here.
But I want to get to Lagos as soon as possible to put my feet up and relax with a drink or two with Andrew and a couple of old friends Frank and Susanna who will be waiting for us. Which side of the brain wins? I've not a clue.
It's a strange lark this sailing game. When the weather's bad, the sea's are rough and you're fighting the elements with little or no sleep for days on end, you'd do absolutely anything to just get off the boat and have a hot bath/shower a drink and a very long sleep. However when the sun's shining and the sails are nicely set, no engine noise to spoil the experience, there's not a lot can beat it.
One thing I can tell you though. No matter how bad the trip to get somewhere, it only takes a day or two and I'm itching to put out to sea again. Must be something in that I guess.
Take care of yourselves
Brian x
 
Oh, while I remember, For a sailing type casual jacket, White or Blue?     Answers by E mail please !!