World ARC Day 7 -15th Jan - Colombia calling
Nina
Steve and Lynda Cooke
Fri 15 Jan 2016 00:47
World ARC Day 7 -15th Jan - Colombia calling
Having anticipated wind speeds of 30 knots on rounding the headland of Venezuela/Colombia we were happy to report considerable drop in winds. However Lesley was a little
disappointed that her wind vigil was in vane. Lynda on the other hand was happy to remain in her bunk conserving vital energy. We had been slowing to make the Colombian coast
at first light, in case of hitting a big wind acceleration zone round the first headland. The Grib files gave 35 knots of wind. At first light the wind backed, and it all became a wonderful
anticlimax. We had a great sail all day at 15 knots up the Colombian coast.
The next WAZ is at the turn around the point for Santa Marta. Boats today reported a big increase in wind speed at this point. We are closing the day, storming into the night well
reefed down, with winds of 20 to 25 knots, gusting to 30. We shall see tomorrow morning.......
Steve, inspired by other fishing tales, decided to cast the lines out once again.
After a few hours, there was a loud bang, and 300lb fishing line flew in the air. We rushed to check only to be bereft of a fish.
It was once again the one that got away, but what a whoppa!
Lynda decided to tidy up the fruit bowl (house keeper extra ordinaire) as Chris sat by the hatch leading out into the cockpit. The clear view of the sea was beckoning for the over ripe
mango to be launched to a watery grave. As the mango glided from Lyn's hand it hit the spray hood causing the over ripe mango to explode into a gooey mess all over Chris and
around the deck. Needless to say we all behaved like the super efficient crew we have become and fell about laughing while trying to extract Mango from Chris's hair etc. etc...