Fw: Blog from Sadko, Sat 9 June 1000
Sadko
Martin Lamport
Sat 9 Jun 2012 14:28
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We had our first Atlantic squall last night.
A big cumulo nimbus system, which had been brewing up behind us all afternoon
must have overtaken us. This was odd as we were reaching in southerly
winds and thought it would drift off to the north. Upper winds must have
been more westerly. Anyway, we had just finished supper (not a bad
couscous under the circs) when this brute sneaked up on us out of the darkness
and all hell broke loose. Sadko took off like a loose horse at Beechers
Brook and the three of us on deck trying to get sails reefed down were
entertained to a wetting, rather like in the films, when you can tell there must
be a fellow just off camera letting the hero have it with a fire hose. We
had the jib away smartish but in the dark and wind it took a bit of time to get
all three reefs into the main, after which things became a bit more
manageable. Paul did a great job steering in total darkness and
recorded 8.5 knots under main alone.
As the night wore on the wind dropped and we
motored a bit, then let out the sails again and pottered along pretty peacefully
at about 5 knots.But this morning the wind has increased steadily and we are
flying along with three reefs back in the main and a small jib. At least
we are running due east, knocking off those miles to the Azores.
Everyone is well and enjoying the roller coaster as
the seas get up into charging white horses that race past with the occasional
splash ofspray on deck.
signing off now
Martin
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