Chagos to Seychelles

NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Mon 2 Jul 2007 22:25
Passage from Salomon Atoll to Seychelles
 
04:59S 63:50E
12.00 hrs - 2nd July 2007
 
Half way!!  Having left the pass of Salomon 3 days and 2 hrs. ago in sunshine, boomed out genoa and full main we decided to go north about Peros Banhos Atoll and were rewarded with a large wahoo and then 15 miles of settled seas to fillet it and get it stored in the fridge.  Rest of the day we made good progress albeit in very confused seas with huge swells.  Our customary happy hour drink gave us a not very nice sunset.  A precursor to the next two days no doubt.  Squally, rough seas and a 6 hour period with torrential rain and 35-40 knots.  We have been here before!!!  Having left a day after 4 other boats we had a small radio net going and as one was heading in our direction we were always interested to hear what conditions he had - much the same though none of the rain.  Today it is grey, we have a constant SSE wind of about 25 knots and fewer squalls.  Our sail area is now just a slightly reefed genoa.  At around midnight there was a loud bang as our second reefing line broke so we took the main down and have now sorted it but find sailing under genoa only quite comfortable steering our course at around 7 knots, seas a bit less mountainous.  It is still grey up ahead and windy so our carefully horded diesel may not be needed which is not all bad.  We should just like to see a bit of the blue stuff up top again.  As we look out the scene is reminiscent of the Channel with the exception of the temperature (both sea and air around 29C).  So far this is a passage to be endured not enjoyed it would seem.
 
Annette
 
PS.  The above is a ladylike way of describing misery.
 
PPS.  Yesterday my lunchtime sandwiches were litterally submerged in salt water as the cockpit was half filled.  As I write this at 0400hrs the stars are out along with a nearly full moon.  The wind has been a steady 20 knots, or force five by Admiral Beaufort's standards, on the beam for the last six hours, the current is with us and rain is just a word.  Our whole little world has changed.  We are not hard to please.  395 miles to go.
 
David