Course 245

 

 

 

Sailing first - Back to the triple reefed main overnight as the sea was pretty rough and the vane couldnt handle anymore sail on a SW course .  And as there were seas regularly sweeping the cockpit, I was damned if I was going to hand steer.   I eventually found a way to go west at about 4 knots which was good as it took me through the Traffic Separation Scheme at right angles to the main traffic.  A TSS is a bit like crossing a motorway as a pedestrian, I travel at 4kts and am 8.8 m long and had to time the pass for about 20 ships which are up to about 250m long.  At least the congestion slowed them down a bit and they were passing me at 13 kts.  

I shouldnt have bothered ducking under it as there was still heaps of traffic in the approaches and getting through all that kept me busy with just 1 nap between the lanes.  After about 3.30am then I could get some serious sleep in as the traffic had thinned and the chaos was behind me.

 

Wind had dropped to about 12 kts and the sea was pretty smooth this morning so I have everything up and was are sailing nicely and without shipping any water - a nice change.

 

I've been busy on the domestic front too and have mopped up the stinky juice from the bottom of the fridge, washed up and cleaned the galley and washed some clothes (OK, my underpants)in a bucket in the cockpit.  The underpants are now fluttering in the breeze alongside the red ensign.

 

Got to play with weather routing next.  Based on Monday's forecast which I brought with me and some input from Jason, I think that I have a morning of light airs coming followed by some decent  North or NE (but Jason says West).  Anyway, I'll download a grib fie when I send the blog and hopefully that will make some sense and I will build a plan.  Already in that plan is that if I motor then I am fishing and we are obviously due a big tuna.  I've made room for some key bits of it in the fridge

General - It's like a desert out here.  I haven't seen anything, ship, plane, fish, dolphin or even a bird since 4am .  Like I say, hope that changes on the wildlife front but the ships and people can stay away.

Texts.

Mum, Hope all was good at Marissa's and that Lucy dodges some of the rain.  Lovely here now !

Frank - I may have a natural affinity for the cock-up trophy but anything that wins it for me out here is likely to make me a minor item on the national news.  Lets hope not.

Dave Smart - Not even a bird.  I have been looking ! 

Richard Shadrick - Thanks for your support.  Yours is a familiar voice across the text after my travels with Tim on Sadie

Alex - thanks for the updates and I hoe the Corsa is back in service soon.

Gemma (and Emma) - glad to have you following and I hope you get some of my weather soon.   In the meantime, this is a blast and I recommend it for everyone.  Happy to lease out a boat at very reasonable rates next year if you want a go !

Harvey (not that I imagine for a second tat you are reading this - Enjoy Italy

Em - Glad you are keeping busy and sounds like Betsy and James will give you a full weekend. Love you.  Think you'd like this bit !