Day 22, June 13, report from ET3, dictated via sat phone

 

Just before dark I noticed that the storm jib halyard that had chaffed through earlier was tangled with the topping lift (the piece of string that holds the boom up).  Worry turned to opportunity!  If I went to the foot of the mast and released the topping lift I may be able to retrieve the halyard.  It was quite rough, force 5 gusting 6 and I had one hour before dark.  I went for it!  Success.... As it went completely dark I was just tieing off and making everything secure (01:00 BST).

 

Now very hungry and no meal prepared.  A Brian and Jackie self cooking meal was exactly what I needed. 

 

One hour later we were hit by a heavy squall, you can't see them coming in the dark.  It was the first of three.  All three reefs had to be put back in again.  The trouble is we don't need three reefs in between the squalls.

 

A very busy night!

 

At first light (08:30 BST) I started to shake out the reefs and had full rig by midday.

 

The wind veered to the NW and it got much colder, two extra sweaters now.  We are on a beam reach to Newport and have been for 8 hours.  Cold, misty, raining but going at a good speed in the right direction.

 

Made a big tuna hash which should last 4 meals.

 

ENDS.