Another interesting interlude
The Adventures of Allegria & Crew
Peter Lansdale
Tue 4 Jun 2024 00:29
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Who was it who said that
exciting interludes were pretty low grade out here. They seem to have been
ramped up a few notches.
We have been watching the weather by down loading
our own information, (mailasail grib files for those in the know) and so have
been aware of the sudden development of a low pressure system right in our path.
The latest information from our weather guru has given us a fairly dramatic
strategy for avoiding this system. If we continued with our progress we would
run straight into the low pressure area and result in us facing gale force or
severe gale force winds which wouldn't even be in a favourable
direction.
So we are to sail north to avoid any further
easting and position ourselves to the north and west of a suggested boundary
line. In fact we are aiming for 37deg 30 minutes north and west of 46 degrees
where we will heave to and await the passage of the system to our south east. We
should be underway again at some point on Thursday. (heaving to is a method
of stopping the boat and drifting only very slowly, often used in rough
weather)
The activity this afternoon involved hoisting the
storm jib (small heavy weight foresail) which will be easier to heave to with
and reefing the mainsail so that we are only sailing very slowly. We have a lot
of time to kill and I've always wanted to use the storm jib. Of course carrying
out the task of fitting and hoisting the storm jib was not without its drama.
The first attempt resulted in the sail being upside down!! All carried out
in gentle breeze and glorious sunshine. I've added this little titbit to
lighten the mood rather than to prove my incompetence.
We are not expecting to be in the severe weather,
our guru has been tasked with providing us with an easy passage. I'm writing
this just to reassure everyone, especially anyone who has been watching the
weather, that we are prepared. Skip.
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