Position 15:01.15N 054:05.14W

 

Could not get an internet connection last night, so could not send yesterday’s blog.  Turned out it was corrosion due to seawater on the terminals of the phone / USB connection.  Toby cleaned them with a sail maker's needle and all was back to normal this morning.

 

So last night was difficult, and got progressively worse. The wind increased, and the sea got more and more confused.  At 22.00 we took in the genoa, gybed onto starboard as the wind backed 10 degrees, and continued under double reefed main alone.  Throughout the night there was a succession of squalls – heavy rain and wind lasting just a few minutes each time.  Come daylight the squalls reduced, but we were left with winds of around 30 knots, and a sea so confused that manual steering was necessary, challenging and frustrating.  This has really dominated the day, with sleeping, eating, and generally existing all being difficult.

 

It’s now early evening, and conditions have improved slightly;  there have already been a couple of squall showers, but the sea is less confused, and helming is almost enjoyable.  But we’ll sea what the night brings – if it follows the pattern of the last two then we will start out OK, but it will get worse!

 

But only about 400 miles to go!!  Today we did 171 NM so current bet is arrival early hours 17th.  All will be forgotten when we arrive, have a couple of drinks and a good night’s sleep.