An Amazing Sail 45:43.00N 20:32.05W
Ellatrout3
Tue 17 Jul 2012 13:39
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When I reflect on my trip so far I realise it has been
amazing. From Plymouth to the Azores it was a constant fight against the
wind and bad weather. For 12 long days we tacked this way and that
struggling against strong winds, constantly reefing, never rested,
equipment breaking and rarely exceeding a hundred miles a day (4 miles per
hour). It was the same for the others, we all found it very
hard.
And now; on the return home from
the Azores, not only has the wind been behind us, but it has been a steady
working breeze pushing Ella Trout at her top cruising speed in a big
rolling sun lit sea. Apart from a short spell when we motored north to get
the top side of the high presure system, we have never touched the sails and are
averaging 150 mies a day (6 miles per hour). We are all well rested and
well fed, and Sarah and James are having a really easy ride so far! It's
like sailing in the trade winds near the Equator.
With so little to do and so much achieved I have to think
what to do to entertain the crew!! Ah! They can write some
blog.
All good!! I'm on my second book, James has rewatched all
his Dr Who episodes on the iphone plus The Avengers, he even glanced at a book
for at least a minute!!! We are all listening to an Alex Ryder novel in
episodes for our evening entertainment. It's like some old fashioned family
gathering round the wireless!! In other news I've eventually been to the toilet,
too muuch information? We share everything here on the Good Ship Ella
Trout!
Things to look forward to....
1. James and I may get a chance to "Take e reef" tomorrow
afternoon, we've practised but not had chance to do one for real as the sails
haven't changed in days.
2. I'm washing my hair this afternoon in the sun on
deck.....Yes!!!
3. If we continue at the present rate we will be at Tusker
Rock SE tip of Ireland in 95 hours!! Though I do think that
unlikely!
Well would you believe it, just as I wrote that, we had a
sudden involuntary gybe and it was emergancy "take a reef" time!! Poor James got
sent below and I only did bits, so our practice drills were pretty
obsolete!!
Anyway all for now I need to get back to my book! Not sure
who the murderer is yet.....personally my money is on head of Globescope but Ill
keep you posted!!
Sarah/mummy, Dad/Poppa/Roger and James
PS for all you sailors, we have no jib up, no spinnaker
and only the main with 1 reef in and we're travelling at over 6 knots, under a
blue sky with not a cloud in sight!! Wind strength, probably top end of forse
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