DAY 21 ... ON THROUGH THE MURK
Gaviota
Fri 23 Jan 2009 11:05
|
36:29.501N 15:45.212W
At 1000 local time (1000 gmt) distance run in last 24
hours 164miles
Still grey and grotty with rain at times .. but we have now
passed the 3000 mile mark since leaving Great Dog Island and I reckon we are
about half way between the Azores and Gibraltar.
Sailing; well for today anyway just keep on on the same gybe
closing down the miles ... WeaTher forecast has major gales in Biscay
spreading as far south as the Azores ... So I am definately glad I didnt head
that extra bit north to get to them! ... but winds here at 18 to 20 knots so
just carried on with 2 reefs and a bit rolled in the genny. It wasnt til well
after dark that it managed to get up to 30 knots .. but by the time I had my kit
on and got on deck it settled back to 20 to 25 knots .. so just rolled a bit
more genny in and headed on through a very murky night. At one time when I poked
my head out I could see stars (only once!) and the big one from Aruba was still
there behind me ... but much lower and losing its brightness ... it must think
the same about side of the ocean!
There is a big swell running .. and has been the last few days
... about 11 to12 seconds between each one .. so it really is up and down
the valleys!
At dawn, just now, gybed onto the other tack (so now
on starboard tack) to go back across the rumb line before we do it all
again in a day or so .... if the wind would only be 20 degrees in either
direction from where it is now (due west) I could sail straight
there! |