Wind of change of winds
Skye Blue sailing
Stephen and Malene
Sat 10 Jun 2023 21:01
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Day 8,
Today is what my Mum would have called a good drying day
- a nice steady breeze with warmth and sun.
I realise how bright it is and take out my sunglasses
that have been in a sheltered part of the cockpit. On opening the case, it
is full of water and the little polishing cloth, a wet heap. In that
moment I realise how Hellish these last few days have been.
Torrential rain interspersed with rain that we in Scotland and
in Denmark would describe simply as "very heavy". And winds from 0 to
30 knots (55km/h). The variety of wind strength is the problem - we can deal
with any wind strength by adjusting the sails but when it is changing and
changing so quickly then we need both of us on watch to make the changes. That
means that one of us, who should be sleeping, is not. For a time this
is not a problem but cumulatively it builds fatigue. Today is a day for sleep
and catching up and the forecasts are looking good. Currently we are sailing at
7 knots against the wind in the perfect direction - for the first time this
entire trip. Today I am a happy man!
I also feel privileged to be enjoying such a unique
experience (I actually quite like the battling the storms bits but not the
slow cold wet bits). I am also aware that I am extremely lucky to have
the health, wealth, companionship and skills to undertake such a journey. Of
course I am most lucky to married to such a talented, courageous and considerate
woman/sailor - you should have seen her on the tossing foredeck unfangling ropes
in the middle of the squall winds in the dark with rain so heavy we
could hardly hear each others shouts. An amazing person. A humbling
experience.
No doubt there will be more squalls but we should soon
be in more settled conditions with steady winds from a better direction.
Westwards we go!
Stephen
PS. I have to send quickly or it will be censored
2:36.1372N 89:19.0734W
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