Now there's wind
Irie
Wed 20 May 2009 20:49
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Position 32 12.1N 44 17.6W Wednesday
20th May Well,
an exciting 24 hours behind us. Yesterday morning there was no wind, and then
mid afternoon, it started to build and by the evening we were cracking along in
20 – 30 knots of breeze from the south east. Hooray, we’re going broadly in the
direction we want at a rate of knots, and the GPS run to the islands is ticking
down. All went fine till the morning, when the tempo rose. The fitting holding
the swinging forestay had been incorrectly fitted by one crew member (possibly
the aged one with the absent mind, but we won't dwel), and at 6.30 am it parted.
This released the genoa to perform a sort of kite like dance in the breeze out
to port, waving lines and fittings with it. All hands on deck, and with skilled
directions from the skipper and nimble reaction from the younger members, the
beast was tamed and laid to rest along the deck. Irie, meanwhile was docilely
sitting hove- to under mainsail alone, so the opportunity was taken for a hearty
breakfast - porridge with currants, cinnamon and honey – excellent. Within half
an hour, the rig was sorted and the boat bowled merrily along, Azores bound -
never adull moment this trip. By noon, the distance direct to the waypoint had
diminished by 120 miles in the 24 hours run, leaving 770 to go. This really
seems to be in reach, plus the fact that the ships clocks moved forward today-
only three hours different from home – progress indeed
Knot
of the day:Sheepshank Nautical saying:
Keckeled
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