Blog 30th May
Nightsong
Sun 30 May 2010 13:31
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Dear Blog
Noon position 38.27N 34.29W - a run of 117
miles since noon yesterday - Ok considering we were under near barepoles for 5
hours and are now gently motoring
Well- the gale (probably only ever force 8 not
9) went on till 1700 hrs yesterday - then we hoisted the main (wirh 3 reefs)
again, by 1900 we had shaken out 2 reefs and by 2100hrs we were motoring with no
wind, Picture shows David and Simon hunkered down below yesterday
afternoon
 Actually that is not the whole picture since we had
a normal (not design or Northshore induced) problem when we tried to shake out
the reefs. The main halyard got caught at the z bend where it comes out of
the mast - due to the spectra rope shredding itself back to its inner core and
the outer cores bunching up. So we had to round up (big sea still running) drop
the main, hoist again using the topping lift so that there was no pressure on
the halyard and then ease the rope through the hole in the mast by
hand. New main halyard required in Horta!
Still motor sailing now because of light winds -
thank goodness the flexible coupling bolts seem to be holding and vibration at
only 1200 rpm liveable with and not shaking the engine out of its mountings.
Speed of only between 5 and 6 knots will mean that arrival is delayed until
Tuesday morning. Currently we have 267 miles to go. Forecast is that SW wind
will return tomorrow afternoon by which time we will have motor sailed for over
a day and a half. At this speed we have plenty of fuel - probably only using 1.5
litre per hour
Had our daily visit from dolphins - that's every
day so far. Weather very cold and wet intermittently. Same as home?
AJB 30th May
2010
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