Big Low 48:06.0N 11:35.2W Miles to Pwllheli 397
Ellatrout3
Thu 14 Aug 2014 22:06
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There's a big low somewhere to the east of the UK and it
has been stuck there since Bertha went through. So what you may say we
know there has been a cool wind for the last few days. Well this low has been
sending us a North westerly wind since Monday afternoon, quite strong at first,
20 to 25 knots true for most of Tuesday with a few spells a bit stronger. It
eased a little on Wednesday down to between 14 and 20 knots all day and all
night and then all morning today.
The main benefit of this is it has kept us on a good
course at a good speed but it is exhausting. We are not beating into it but
we are not running either, so the boat is leaping over the waves, crashing and
banging along. You have to hang on all the time or be tied on with you
safety line. Cooking is not easy, you can't put anything down or it leaps onto
the floor. When you are on your feet with only have one hand to work
with serving a meal for thee people takes skill and
effort. Sarah who voluteered to do the cooking has found it
difficut but we haven't lost a dinner yet!!!!! (fingers crossed) When I'm
on my own in these conditions I always do a one pot meal and eat out of it.
Obviously this not practical with three on board.
Whatever you are doing you must always be hanging on with
one hand However this constant wind, always in the same
direction, makes the night sailing watches easier reducing the necessity to make
changes during the dark hours. At night we tend to shorten sail to
keep her going steady as far as possibly, then we usually get good rest.
We take it in turns to check on the hour to see how she is going
and lookout for ships, especially now we are getting close to the shipping
lanes. We may adjust this if it gets busy crossing the entrance to the
English Channel
Norm Bailey our supporter and friend in Newport kept
saying to me I ought to try the American style baked beans, of course I never
did , the occasion to try them never arose. In the end he gave me a pot to
take with me when I left. I should have tried them; we had them for lunch
yesterday and all the crew, even Patch thought they were good. They are
made with molasses and pork sausage, much darker in colour than our tomato based
ones in the UK and very tasty when the wind blows and the waves roll and you
want a quick snack. Thanks Norm!
That's all folks,
Love Patch, Sarah and
Poppa/Dad/Roger
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