An Odd Day

The Travels of Running Tide
Mick Norman
Fri 18 Jul 2014 12:07
Our position at 12 00 on 18 July is 44:08.1N 020:50.1W . We have about 711 nm to run to Land’s End and we have completed 80 nm in the last day. Five full days completed.
 
17 July – The cloud have blown away and again we have a gorgeous sunny day. It shouldn’t be like this, this leg is supposed to wet and miserable. There is still time. Reasonable speed being made but slowing to lower 4s upper 3s in the evening. Promises to be a settled night though.
 
It was Smash tonight. I don’t think Norm added enough water. The remainder of the rehydration process is taking place inside me I think.
 
I hear this weekend is going to be very hot in UK. I hope there are a few hot days left for us when we get back. We are looking forward to getting to Falmouth. We are fantasizing about fish and chip suppers and pints of bitter (halves for Norm).
 
23 00 Oh dear, we have fallen into a wind hole. I think we will sit this one out and get some sleep.
 
18 July – Its 06 00 and still no wind but there are stirrings. By 06 30 we are doing 5.7kts! That didn’t last but we are making good progress now in the right direction on a port reach. What did I say yesterday about the weather. Well its overcast and a bit squally as a consequence the wind strength and direction is all over the place and its raining. Reefs in reefs out and shake it all about. Anyway progress is generally in the right direction and the mileage which was heading for the pathetic category is now respectable. Nothing like our forecast in the last 24 hours.
 
At midday it looks a bit more settled, there’s a bit of blue sky up there and we are doing 5.3 kts on a port reach.