And Still More Wind

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 28 Jan 2010 21:25
Position: At anchor off San Julian
Wind: West, F6/7 strong breeze/near gale
Weather: sunny, mild

Today Jenny had planned to continue south and I had planned to continue some maintenance, but the wind has once more foiled us both.

Last night I rowed over to Jenny to have a farewell drink and to discuss weather and such like with the skipper Jan, and once more I ended up stuck there for several hours. In the couple of hours that I had been on board the wind had picked up and was blowing a steady 30 knots or so making the row back to Sylph a seriously hazardous undertaking. Rudolph kindly helped me take the oars out of the dinghy and we put her on a long lead astern so she would ride out the small sea that had built up in the limited fetch of the anchorage.

I dossed myself down on one of Jenny's settees for the night. Occasionally I would get up and look out the companionway at Sylph a little ways up wind, I felt lonely looking at her dancing in the strong breeze without me. At about 4 a.m. I awoke to .. silence, the wind had dropped to a placid 5 knots. I immediately decided it would be wise to take the opportunity to get back to Sylph. In the dark I fished the fish out of the fridge (Adrian's placatory gift for BC) and went on deck, and a minute later was joined by Jan, no doubt his skipper's ear unconsciously tuned to changes in the environment around his vessel.

It turned out to be a wise decision because when I awoke later this morning the wind had returned with a vengeance, I spoke with Jan on the VHF and according to Jenny's anemometer the wind was gusting 55 plus knots.

So stuck on board all day agian and while I could not progress the painting I had started I have still had a productive day; put a small patch on the staysail, repaired a sail bag, re-sorted the chart portfolio for Patagonia, read a little bit and even darned some socks - never done that before.

All is well.



Bob Cat:

Dear Adrian,

The (sic) sardine (uno) in tomato sauce was a great appetizer, thank you. I do not wish at all to be ungrateful, and I know that we Americans do have a reputation for liking sweet and savoury dishes, but I would just like to let you know that my tastes are perhaps a little more refined than many of my fellow felines, perhaps in all my traveling of late they have become somewhat cosmopolitan, mind you the diet this skipper has me on in no way does justice to my gastronomic palate. As mentioned, by no means a complaint, but a little less piquant on the sauces for the entrée please. A freshly caught tuna is my absolute favorite, the fresher and the rarer the better, but of course I do not wish to presume on whatever you might have in mind.

Looking forward to the next dish.

Best Regards,

BC

PS. I always find a little rest in between courses sharpens the taste buds, I believe the Italians like a sorbet, for us felines it is a . . . Zzzzzzzzz.