Chagos to Seychelles
NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Mon 2 Jul 2007 22:25
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Passage from Salomon Atoll to
Seychelles
04:59S 63:50E
12.00 hrs - 2nd July
2007
Half way!! Having left the pass of Salomon 3
days and 2 hrs. ago in sunshine, boomed out genoa and full main we decided to go
north about Peros Banhos Atoll and were rewarded with a large wahoo and then 15
miles of settled seas to fillet it and get it stored in the fridge. Rest
of the day we made good progress albeit in very confused seas with huge
swells. Our customary happy hour drink gave us a not very nice
sunset. A precursor to the next two days no doubt. Squally, rough
seas and a 6 hour period with torrential rain and 35-40 knots. We have
been here before!!! Having left a day after 4 other boats we had a small
radio net going and as one was heading in our direction we were always
interested to hear what conditions he had - much the same though none of the
rain. Today it is grey, we have a constant SSE wind of about 25 knots and
fewer squalls. Our sail area is now just a slightly reefed genoa. At
around midnight there was a loud bang as our second reefing line broke so we
took the main down and have now sorted it but find sailing under genoa only
quite comfortable steering our course at around 7 knots, seas a bit less
mountainous. It is still grey up ahead and windy so our carefully horded
diesel may not be needed which is not all bad. We should just like to see
a bit of the blue stuff up top again. As we look out the scene is
reminiscent of the Channel with the exception of the temperature (both sea and
air around 29C). So far this is a passage to be endured not enjoyed
it would seem.
Annette
PS. The above is a ladylike way of describing
misery.
PPS. Yesterday my lunchtime sandwiches were
litterally submerged in salt water as the cockpit was half filled. As I
write this at 0400hrs the stars are out along with a nearly full moon. The
wind has been a steady 20 knots, or force five by Admiral Beaufort's standards,
on the beam for the last six hours, the current is with us and rain is just
a word. Our whole little world has changed. We are not hard to
please. 395 miles to go.
David
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