Noon Position first July 48:37.2N 010:29.1W
Days Run by log 113 miles
Dear Reader,
Well you Know I said we were using plan B?. It changed again and we finally
implemented Plan C. WE were heading due east but the wind and seas were on
the beam and breaking over the boat by lunchtime yesterday. My plan was
always to heave to when the wind really picked up for 6 to 8 hours. I tried
this and for the life of me I couldn't get the boat to lay quietly for more
than 15 minutes or more. As soon as an abnormal wave or gust came along it
started forereaching slowly but out of its heave to slick, which keeps the
waves from breaking over the boat. So plan C. As we have slowed down so well
and kept away from the shelf we now have enough room to turn and run
downwind. So that's what we did at 6 pm, with triple reefed main and wind
steering driving.
It worked brilliantly at first with only the rogue cross wave upsetting
things. Then the wind kept building and building to peak out at 35 Kts at
2am this morning. The rain arrived and that was it..............a 60 degree
shift in wind and dropped to 20 |Kts.
Very difficult to sleep when the wind and waves are so high and I think I
only managed 10 or 15 minutes up to 05:30. When you lookout all you can see
is the phosphorescence of the breaking wave crests which must be stunningly
beautiful if you can detach your mind from an imminent broach.
I then took the main down, put out the fully genny and started the run for
the waypoint and to cross the shelf, hopefully by about 5 pm today.
Had lots of Dolphins around the boat again today which cheered me up
somewhat.The good news is that there are only about 4 more days to Alderney
and the winds looking good.
So what about food you say.
Typically for breakfast I have instant porridge ( when I can get it in the
bowl), and about every three days or so , depending on weather, eggs beans
and toast.
Lunchtime normally consists of sandwiches and I have managed to get two long
life loaves from Terceira, (Bimbo but extended life type) plus I have some
part baked Ciabatta bread which is very yummy.
Evening meal is normally from a tin such as Curry, Goulasch etc with rice or
potatoes, pasta plus tin veggies.
Sometimes I concoct a rice or pasta dish with chorizo, which keeps for ages.
( The chorizo not he dish).
There are a couple of product that I can recommend. The first is Uncle Bens
Wild & Basmati, precooked rice. Just heat it up for two minutes and its
perfect. You don't even have to worry that the wild rice takes twice as long
to cook as the basmati. The other product is M&S hot curries in a tin. All I
do is cook off some onions and garlic first, add the contents and a squeeze
of fresh lime and you wouldn't know it from an Indian restaurant.
Remind me to give the recipe for Chorizo rice tomorrow.
Have to go now and work out the best course to angle us across the
continental shelf.
Nearly forgot..........here's a thought for you.
. The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are your "buts"
you use today
Berni
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