Report from Dad/Roger on Tuesday 8 June 20.30hrs (as dictated over sat phone)

Day 12 - 3 June

Winch handle lost overboard – 2 remaining

Day 13 - 4 June

Chart plotter spontaneously rebooted, 7 times in 10 days – worrying

Jib halyard parted and chaffed.  Attempt to go up mast to rethread.  Motor-sailed east at 1 knot under full main to stabilise.  Climb mast 1½ hours – swinging, banging and bruising! Couldn’t pass mouse over pulley wheel, fingers too fat.  ½ hour frustration. ¾ hour climb down more bruising.  Very disappointed that couldn’t do the simple bit.  Totally knackered and well beaten up.

Went to turn off motor and autohelm blew fuse.  All electronics went dead briefly.  Autohelm now dead.

Started using first water bottle today

DAY 13 – BAD DAY

Day 14 – 5 June

First real gale, started at 18.00.  Had to tack half way through gale.  Decided to attempt it before it got dark.  23.50 succeeded on second attempt.  Pleased about that.

Day 15 – 6 June

Force 8 winds 38 knots gusting greater than 40 knots.  Spent most of night in bed – safest place.  Thrown across the cabin once (ouch!)  Gale lasted 15 hours before winds started to subside to force 7.

Gale damage

Rope pockets full of water and no drain holes

Two torches drowned, one saved

Both spray dodgers torn away at bottom

Spray hood two studs pulled out of deck.  Poorly fitted should have raised it with JKA at the time of fitting.