Day 7: Almost there
The Voyages of Richard and Amanda
Sun 30 May 2010 17:37
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POS: 45:44.82N 009:53.65W
Well it has been quite a couple of days! The
wind has been blowing hard and the seas have been tossing us around the waves
turning into mountains all around us. It has been pretty scarry for a
relative new comer to the oceans infact to sailing in general but I have learnt
much and grown much over the last few days that is going to benefit me with all
our sailing in the future. Justine Gabrielle is a great boat and sails
well with a great master of the seas at the helm. I am blessed
indeed.
The decision to head for La Coruna was a good
one. Whilst I am sad that we are not going to make the Azores this year I
now realise how very blessed I was with the weather on my maiden voyage.
17 days with blissfully light airs and only one night of strong winds was
a gift from God indeed, but I realise that the norm is much more
the reality we have been facing over the last few days and right now I
understand I do not have the knowledge of boat or oceans to make
that journey. The night watches in turbulant seas are a real strain and
Friday night neither one of us got any sleep - well I didn't I was too
scared and poor Richard only cat napped through the night to keep me
company.
As I said it's a good decision to divert. The
diversion to La Coruna gives me a couple more days to expience the vast
ocean but then the respite of a safe haven marina - which right now I
need. As Richard has told you we at last have seen the
dolphins. It was a real lift to see them and I was blessed as
they joined me again to keep me company at the beginning of my night
watch.
I am feeling calmer now with only one more night at
sea before we reach land. Please don't get me wrong it is truly awesome out
here with the enormous watery hills rolling under us. Now that
the winds have droped to 15 - 16k the roughness of the sea has died
away which is more bearable although the size of the hills continue to be
huge they no longer seem to want to devour us. The only problem we seem to
have now is nasty fogs that keep enveloping us. THe sun has managed
to break through a bit today and this always makes everything more bearable.
Anyway its back to thick fog again for my night duty - typical - but as
long as the winds stay light Richard should get a decent amount of
sleep. He truly is an amazing man, my respect for him just grows and
grows. Now I must learn from him the ways of the sea, his routes to calm
and his love of challenge.
Well I will love and leave you all now and pass you
over to the great man for serious info. Take care all of you and know that
I love you all deeply. How blessed I am indeed to have such wonderful
family and friends. Stay happy with all my fondest love Manda
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I think Amanda has said it all. I have probably
been guilty of expecting too much of her so the change of plan should make
things much easier. And, if I'm honest I am quite looking forward to a bit of
stillness, a hot shower and a full nights sleep.
The position shown today is where we were at noon.
At 6.30pm when we are doing this entry we are about 110mile NW of La Coruna. We
have had a steady Westerly wind at about F4 which has kept our speed up to
around 6.5 to 7 knots. Current arrival time, weather permitting will be about
midday tomorrow.
WE will take a few days to sort ourselves out, fix
the loo and some of the leaks and dry off our clothes. A nice meal at a table
that doesn't bounce around in three directions at once will also be good. Then
the plan is too explore some of the Northern coast of Spain and Southern
Brittany before heading home in July.
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