All’s well on board.

 

Over the past two days we have been experiencing what our weather forecasters call “moderate to strong ESE to SE trade winds.”  That is to say winds of 20 to 30 knots, Force 6 or 7.  Yesterday afternoon and evening we sailed through a series of heavy rain squalls with occasional gusts of 32 knots in gloomy light but today has been brighter with a consequent lift in morale.  We are told that the winds might moderate in the next few days but of course we are in two minds about this; over half way now and with eyes wandering towards the ETA window in the chart plotting programme we don’t want extra days to be added.

 

We are locked snugly into passage making routine; watch follows watch, not exactly with monotony but without the need to worry about what comes next.  It helps the time pass more quickly. 

 

Another way we make time pass in the long night watches is to listen, again, to Erskine Childers’ Riddle of the Sands.  Is there another story about cruising in small boats that so exactly captures the spirit of the thing?  We don’t think so.