Tioram heads for the Med 37.34:92N 13.02:53W
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Tue 8 Jun 2010 21:56
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Hi Folks
We have found the temperature quite cool in the
days since leaving the Azores and especially at night when we need the dreaded
thermals, fleeces, foul weather gear, hats and gloves. The northerly winds
are welcome for a good wind direction but very cold. We have had a good run
today creaming along at between 7/8 and 10 knots on a surf. the wind speeds have
been increasing and have varied between 15/20 true. This aftenoon the gusts
topped 28/30 true so we put in a third reef in the main (sail) with gybe
preventer and poled genoa with the wind then behind us and on a
good course for Portugal. The visibility closed in and the seas steepened. This
evening the wind has reduced to 21 true and the boat is handling well in with
the wave direction.
Thoughts came to mind as usual and I mentioned that
marrying a domino player would have led to a drier, more comfortable
pastime/life. Tony reminded me that if I had married a domino player I wouldn't
have seen the gorgeous grenadines----------'Don't they have domino conventions
in the Grenadines?', was my response !!
So we now have 236 n miles to Albufeira to
meet up with some friends and we are really looking forward to getting in. The
very wet stop over in the Azores which kept us mainly boat bound have made the
trip feel continous and now over a month. We are all gettting a little weary of
colder weather and very cold nights---bit too much like the English channel in
sept but with bigger seas. It is a far cry from the Caribbean and we
are so-o-o happy to be going to the warm weather of the Med. Life on
board is good and Malte is a great crew mate and wins great thanks for cooking
this evening on a rolling sea.However we are all more tired than with 5 on
board. Tony is doing watches at night on his own --which is tiring and Malte and
myself do the other watch. In the day we mix around so that we can all catch up
on sleep.
Tony is on watch now 20.00hrs in dreary rain,
light now gone, low visibilty----radar and AIS on ( early detection device
for tankers/ large shipping) but the temperature is a little warmer. Malte is
off watch in bed and I will be off to my bunk shortly for our 4 hours off watch
--back on at midnight.
It seems that these are the moments when you earn
your ticket to the beautiful bays--- swimming off the boat and sipping rum
punches--------- and all of the more uncomfortable moments are
then forgotten.
However guys at this moment I am still debating
whether or not the Grenadines does hold a domino convention????
Love to families and friends from the 'Good ship
Tioram' x x x x
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