27.46:21N 064.42:83W
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Thu 13 May 2010 15:48
|
Date 13 May
Time 11:00 boat time
Hello from Tioram
After 28 hours our little blow finally subsided at
6:00 this morning. Now we are sailing in bright blue cloudless skies and in a
F4 heading for east of Bermuda.
The last 24 hours has been a good test of boat and
crew. The wind peaked at 32 knots true and then stayed at 25 to 28 knots for
over 20 hours. Not too bad for a ship like Tioram but it created a steep sea
with large waves so we could not point into wind without slamming. We suspect
this was due to the gulf stream which was running under us at over 1 knot.
So we went on a beam reach with just the well furled genoa up for an
easier ride. Not quite in the right direction but in the scale of the trip
a minor deviation. The whole experience complete with grey skiies and rain made
the Atlantic look like the English Channel on a bad day.
Crew morale was high throughout with cups of tea,
biscuits and even a ravioli for dinner for those that could face it. The only
comment was from Tina who was heard to say that she wished she had married a
domino player rather than a yachtie as she could be in the pub
instead.
What a difference a day makes. The scene on board
at the moment is one of quiet tranquility well except for the generator running,
the water maker grunging and a quiet contented purring from the skippers cabin.
James is washing up ! We understand James's mom that this might be a first. So
perhaps he may be a changed man when he gets back! Malte is catching up on lost
sleep. Although only 22 he's proving to be a real find for the trip now he
has been kitted out with bits of gear from the rest of the crew.
Tina is on the wheel having had a monster
bowl of cornflakes and bananas which are begining to need eating.
John was allowed to sleep in this morning, an award
for services to steering yesterday when we got bored wih George, the autopilot.
Tony and Tina's friend Lorenzo in a similar boat is
about a couple of days ahead and is sendng us back position and weather reports.
It looks like we are going to have a quiet couple of days and may even end up
motoring tomorrow.
On Ula ( that's John and Jackies boat) they
have award each 24 hours which goes to efforts above and beyond the call.
We are going to retain the name. After much debate by the secret judging
committee, this days Ula award goes to Tina for the mushroom soup at
lunchtime. Its a miracle it stayed in the mugs.
All the best from Tioram
|