37:27.6N 037:27.6W Midday (BST) Fix 29 May 2010 Who Let The Dogs Out!
Oboe D'Amore's Web Diary
Nigel Backwith
Sat 29 May 2010 11:28
2010
View our progress on Google Earth at: http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe
GPS Position: 37:27.6N 037:27.6W
Sea Miles (previous 24 Hours): 161nMs
Sea Miles to date: 2,736nMs
Present Course Over Ground: 058°M
Present Boat Speed 7.1kts
Average Boat Speed (previous 24 hours): 6.7kts
Average Boat Speed to date: 6.2kts
Estimated GPS Position in 24 hours time: 37°:52'N 034°:16'W
Sea State: Rough with 4-5m swell - incessant rain, with frequent waves
breaking over cockpit
Wind Speed and Direction: 34kts SW
Barometric Pressure: 1002mB
We have been at sea so long together now that nothing seems to break our
spirit or routine. Yesterday evening, as forecast, the weather unleashed
the dogs at us with the long-anticipated storm. Since then and through the
night the seas have built to enormous heights that none of us have
experienced before and the winds have howled at over 40kts. We can't even
sail in exactly the direction we want to go because of the force of the
waves crashing over the beam. "Long-anticipated", however, is the key. We
were well-prepared and on the command: "listen up guys, let's do it!" a
well-honed team took station and with few further words spoken pulled
together in harmony to drop the mainsail, furl the headsail and hoist our
day glo orange storm jib at precisely the right time ahead of the build up.
I have to say, Oboe cut a very fine figure in her storm livery against the
angry skies, as night drew in. She seemed to know she had a job to do and
she was ready.
The waves come and go like some oversized fairground ride. They say "I'm
here", as if that is not obvious enough, by side swiping us and crashing
over the decks. The crew gets on with the job, rotating watches, making
each other cups of tea, munching on ever-dwindling stores of chocolate and
stumbling like drunks from place to place, firmly lashed to their stations
whenever on deck and when it is time for a rest they shed layers of wet
clothing and crawl into their bunks.
Only another 12 hours of this. Hey Ho - a bad day sailing is better than a
good day at the office ...
Nigel
Date: 29 May 2010