37.39:69N 30.55:37W
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Wed 26 May 2010 19:12
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Date 26 May Time 11:03 boat time DTG
Horta 153 miles
Hello from Tioram
A real mixed bag on the sailing front over the last
24 hours. The wind finally filled in about 14:00 yesterday with enough
force to turn off the motor. This was about 6 hours later than forecast and the
delay was sending John stir or is it wind crazy. We then had 3 hours of glorious
spinnaker reaching at 9 knots until a big black cloud showed up on the horizon
and Tony thought the fun for one day was enough and we took it down. The wind
then continued to increase up to 30 knots by midnight from behind
us and it proved too much for the 3 rd reef in the main so we took that in
and sailed under a well reefed genoa. We were still doing 8 knots down the face
of ever increasing waves. This action was accompanied by heavy squally rain and
the 4:00am watch even recorded a gust of 40 knots. John is rather regretting his
decision not to bring his sea boots and has resorted to plastic bags to keep his
feet dry. Needless to say life below is getting a little clammy and we need a
god day to dry out. Unfortunately the forecast for the rest of the trip is
more of the same particularly tonight so we have to be damp a while
longer. ETA Horta ia about 3:00pm tomorrow afternoon at the current
rate.
Tina's birthday went with a swing well as best as
can be managed at sea. John cooked pasta ala Dolmio and James made the carrot
cake. We all thought the cake was a splendid effort althouh by James's high
standards he wished that it was more light and fluffy. Not easy James as Jackie
will tell you in a boat oven. The party enjoyed a beer but the wine stayed
firmly shut given the expected night ahead.
Thanks Al for your email. I will have a beer on you
in Horta. We all wish you could be there.
Domestically the good ship Toiram is a mess at
the moment. A small leak has developed in the forward cabin which has
made Tony's smart clothes a little damp. So Tina has them hanging in the
saloon to air. What with wet foulies the inside of the good ship resembles a
chinese laundry. I am soon all will be ship shape when we get to
port.
James's has got to win the prize for the best
effort with the cake. He even managed to fashion some chocolate topping as the
mix did not come with icing.
Cheers from Tioram
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