Course  290  

 

Speed 6.0 kts

 

 

 

Bigger seas, more wind and the same old story.

 

The sea went a dirty and forbidding gray this morning, it rained and we started to get 30 knots of wind with stronger gusts to keep us on our toes.

 

We furled a couple more turns of genoa but there isn't that much left of it, so the storm jib is sat in the cabin in case of need and we have prepared the leads for its sheets.  We have also altered course by 10 degrees to stop Sadie from being knocked off in an uncontrolled manner by the odd 5 or 6 m monster wave.

 

When it has not been raining we have been in the cockpit (clipped on) and it is OK out there as long as you are prepared to be doused occasionally by a rogue wave.

 

At lunch time today we hit the "1000 miles to go" mark and celebrated with chocolate cake.  We have travelled 2236 miles so far to get here.

 

Domestic 

 

It's mostly indoor living, especially when it rains.  As mentioned above Tim has made a chocolate cake and we have done an inventory of our fresh food.  With 2 gammons, some pork chops and at least 3 tuna meals we are not going to starve.

 

Not much opportunity for anything else - we have got bored of our music choice for now and are listening to podcasts of deset island discs when not doing basic maintenence / survival stuff.

 

 

Tollesbury Gammon from Ian Leavett for dinner

 

 

Natural History.

 

Anything that can is deep underwater out of this mess.  Even the flying fish have disappeared.

 

A bird was desperately trying to land on Sadie last night - I assume it was a land bird on passage.  But a yacht is full of movement with sails and a wind generator and whatever it was couldn't get down, giving up after an hour or so.

 

 

Rowles kids - Enjoy Christmas night at school. 

 

Granny Rowles - I got 2 of your 3 messages.  All's well.

 

Em - Ricky is a chippy.  We reckon we can build a cello.

 

Will - Sadie is coping fine.  Usual story in that the crew will give in long before the boat.  But we are almost there and have plenty of food and beer so there is no danger of this crew giving in.

 

Richard - thanks for the ashes update.  In terms of other news we want, we dont know whats out there so any interesting snippets would be welcome

 

Mum thanks for all the footie score and keep them coming.

 

Dave - we will be trying your tuna bottling process and will report.  Glad you can fnally use the woodburner but no need for such things out here - and Oh yes, still rough !

 

Yet another massive thanks to Monti

 

 

Sadie