Women’s Gossip:

 

So I said I would let you all know how we got on in the stormy anchorage. ....

 

As predicted the winds did pick up and after re-anchoring a few times we managed to hold for most of the duration of dark hours – which are rapidly increasing as we head south and the weeks tick by.

 

The Canadian Coast Guard put out an amended gale warning of 45 knots so we knew it would be a rough night. Fortunately our anchorage did give us complete shelter from the sea state. But as seems to be the norm with anchorages around here, not much shelter from the wind speed. At first the willy waws were slow to pick up and most of the strongest wind was general gustiness of high 30’s. By the dark hours however the general winds increased and highest gusts began to hit nearer 45 knots. Then towards the end of the night hours, another increase in wind strength brought the willy waws down the valley resulting in gusts in excess of 50 knots. The anchor which until that point had held so well began to slowly slip. This wasn’t an urgent problem but did need to be attended to before it took us too close to the shore. So at first light we decided to re-anchor. Pete and I were on watch so it was our treat to venture onto the foredeck to retrieve the anchor whilst maintaining a “hand for the boat” to ensure we remained on board. Dave was on the helm and with the help of the engine the anchor came up relatively easily. We motored around the bay for a short while checking out the various possibilities. Finally we picked a slightly calmer patch with fewer willy waws and with loads of dragging room. We waited for a drop in the wind and as soon as the wind was quieter, Pete and I leapt up to the foredeck to reset the anchor. Whilst the chain was rattling our I looked up to see another large gust coming towards us. The boat lurched and I needed 2 hands to hang onto a cleat to prevent myself from slipping down the deck. Finally with the anchor set – and it dug in almost immediately giving a reassuringly solid tug – Pete and I returned to the relative calm of the cabin. Dave then revealed that despite our best efforts to choose a calmish time we had in fact just had one of our highest gusts of the night of 57 knots.

 

Dawn brought a gradual decrease to winds of 30knots which was a welcome relief. The noise in the rigging slowly changed from a screaming to a quieter howl – much easier on the nerves.

 

By 10am the winds had subsided and after leaving a few hours to make sure that there was no more to come we set off again on our way south. As expected the seas were enormous, but with light winds this only brought a discomfort of a very rolly boat. In fact we still have the residual swell with us at the moment – so for the first time Phil and I are hot bunking with the others so that we don’t have to sleep in the forepeak and “take air”.

 

Catherine

 

Notes from the Purser

 

Food stores are gradually beginning to deplete as we enter the final stage of the journey. last resupply was Pond Inlet 10 days ago ‘how long do i need to budget for skipper’ says i ‘10 to 12 days’ says he. Well that was 10 days ago and we are just leaving Baffin Island! While i am sure we shall not starve imagination is going to need to be used at some point to produce tasty evening meals.

 

My previous frugal issue of goodies when we were anchored waiting for the ice to melt has meant that we have had after dinner chocolate for the past three nights and i have just issued a packet of Lidel Oaties biscuits for consumption during the night watches the boys have clear instructions to share. Doesn’t effect me i am duty watch so get an all night kip.

 

Reason for lack of biscuits at the supermarkets up here they are inordinately expensive receiving no subsidies to fly them in unlike say fresh fruit and veg so we are talking £5 for a packet of fig newtons and about £9 for Oreos bars of chocolate is much the same.

 

The frugal issue regime does mean that we will go down in the annuals of artic exploration as the first yacht to return back below the artic circle still with wine on board, initial rationing and then later lack of opportunity (we don’t drink underway) has lead to this state of affairs. I am sure it will be remedied at a convenient time.

 

Spam does not seem popular up to now however the bacon has now run out so it will be looked at with different eyes. Canadian Bacon is excellent thick cut smoked streaky crisps up lovely.

 

One piece of seal meat remains.

 

Rest assured blogg readers we shall not starve.

 

Hywel has still failed to catch us a fish supper.

 

Phil

P