Day 6: It was a dark and windy night...
The Voyages of Richard and Amanda
Sat 29 May 2010 18:20
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POS: 47:32.88N 11:07.66
It has been quite 24 hours with a change of plan as
the result. We have altered course to La Corunna in NW Spain. This is not for
any reason other than we both feel that slogging away to windward to the Azores
has become just that little bit unpleasant.
Last night we spent most of the night hove to while
the wind built up to a Force 7. The seas were also pretty big and just going
forward would have been very wet and uncomfortable. As a result neither Amanda
or I got much sleep. The wind has only started to moderate to 17-18 knots in the
last hour or so from about 4.30pm, and is forecast to stay westerly for the next
few days. I felt it was unfair to put Amanda through more terifying experiences
so we are reaching down the 250 miles to Spain, and expect to be there in 2
days.
On top of all this the forward loo has stopped
working which is NOT a job I want to do while the boat is rocking around.
Everything is damp and water in the bilges is coming up by the side of the
saloon seats and soaking the carpet. It is hard to realise how complicated even
the simplest things like putting your boots on can be when there is no level
surface and everything is constantly moving.
So we are both happy with the decision to change
direction, we are looking forward to a few days of stillness. We may still go on
to the Azores or we might spend some time in N Spain which I've heard is a great
cruising ground. We shall see.
On a plus note we saw our first dolphins today. It
is fantastic how much seeing them lifts your spirits as they obviously enjoy our
company while playing in the swells round the boat.
Bye for now. Another update tomorrow.
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