Malua is at 37:35.761N 00:58.74W at Cartagena

The ocean and weather is so unpredictable which makes sailing challenging and rewarding.  Having posted the last blog when Malua crossed the Prime Meridian the weather started to change and change it did.  The wind rose from the pleasant 15 knots to 20 then 30 and finally at the height of the storm the gust where a lot more than 40 knots.  Malua was running before the wind with the genoa poled out and the full main.  Well first I put one reef in which is easily done.  Then as the wind increased I pulled the second reef in the main.  Now that is not so easy because one has to get the main off the stays so it means changing course more side on to the wind and of course the waves which had by this time build in to white cap rollers.  Denny is usually in charge of stowing all things down below and not having her on board I had not done the usual diligent job so turning side on to the waves to pull in the reef resulted on a few major bangs from down below as items rearranged themselves either in cupboards, bookshelves or just on counter tops landing on the floor.  My cupboard which I usually bolt flew open and deposited most of the items on the floor.  Remember to prepare Malua for the sea not just going to sea.

Having pulled in the second reef and furled the genoa Malua was still surfing down the waves at more than 7 knots.  But the moon was full and the wind aft of the beam, its warm so what more could one ask for.....  well a lot of thunder and lightening, rain is of course what came next.  So out with the wet weather gear.

I arrived at Cartagena at about 5:00 am and the wind is still blowing but the bay gives one protection from the sea so I slipped behind a high headland and dropped and stowed the sails and cleaned up down below.

With things ship shape I motored into the port just ahead of two tugs dragging a large ship into the entrance.  I arrived at the marina with not a sole in sight and the wind still blowing at 25 knots so I just nosed Malua into a dock and made her secure.  Now for a good sleep.