Downwind bliss, for now.
Calypso's Web Diary
Joe Drury
Thu 9 Jun 2011 19:34
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42:53.8N 015:17.9W The wind has shifted again as the low pressure goes
round, now we are running directly before the wind, making 6-7 knots. As the
wind is blowing all the weather into the cabing I've shut the aft hatch and am
cosy, watching the radar and watching TV. I've just had a heinz Big Soup, which
I bulked out with chopped picked garlic and pork sausage, 2 slices of bread
(still soft, suprisingly) and too much chocolate. I eventually had to put it in
a locker near the bow, I couldn't help myself. Fruit and nut...
mmm..
Ask any sailors that you know, ask them
which sloop- or cutter-rigged yachts they've ever sailed will go
directly downwind without crash-gybing or snaking around, when on
autohelm. None I'll bet. But this one will. I don't know why, exactly, but I'm
lucky that she does as I'm tucked in below instead of getting drenched
covering mile after boring mile on the tiller. Wind is 20-22 knots from astern,
sails are goosewinged (poled and prevented) and apart from the usual racking,
she's holding a steady 220 magnetic.
I'm not sure what the next few days has in store, I
hope that the weather forecasts are lying when they predict strong to moderate
SW'lys but even if that is the case, I will try and make headway as much as I
can. It won't be very comfortable, but should only last 3 days or so.
Any updates of standing from my loyal landlubbers?
I know I'm close to Rebecca and Carolina, but who else is out there? Also I
haven't heard how Bojangles is getting on, have they thrown the towel in or are
they bravely continuing? If anyone has a spare 10 minutes could I have miles to
run for the boats in my class? Gives me a boost of energy if I know I'm close
behind someone!
AK, did you get my last mail? I got one back from
your office saying you were out. Catch up later anyway after I've had a nap.
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