How unlucky can you get.

As we left port, the forecast wind was non-existent and a huge tanker was anchored right where we wanted to point to.  On the basis he probably wasn’t about to move so we didn’t have to go around him, we motored around tanker and then set the sails.  It doesn’t seem much but that took ages!

OUCH!
John was on the bow changing the pole for the genoa to the other tack. The winds were really light and from behind us. Anyway, that huge pole swung!  That huge pole swung and hit John – SMACK! Right on the side of his head. 
I mean a big SMACK!
They say everything happens quickly.
Well they are right.  

Ignoring my initial instincts, I remained where I should be - in the cockpit.
Poor John rested for a minute holding the side of his head and then finally secured the pole! Time for TLC:  Ice and Aspirin. Lots of Asprin! 

Of course, we both breathed a sigh of relief. 
In a quiet wind and flat seas you don’t expect accidents.
Luckily, there was no concussion and 12 hours later John was fine but with a large tender bruise to his ego. It just shows you cannot be too careful. As it happens we always use our harnesses when up front so there was no risk of being knocked overboard as part of our philosophy that accidents WILL occur only when you don’t expect then to occur.
Anyway, this SMACK could have been a lot nastier.

By 1400 the wind was perfect and we were making good time for our anchorage. We actually made the anchorage with only ten to twenty minutes left of daylight. The anchorage was straightforward and we had the cove to ourselves.
We had a beer, a packet of crisps and enjoyed an hour looking at the stars. 
All in all that was 89 miles, a bruised head and a bruised ego.

There was a swell in the bay that the pilot book neglected to mention might occur with winds from a southerly direction.

Although we were protected from the 25+ knot winds, there was a swell that snaked around the corner into our bay.

This was our first night with a swell.
It was awful.
Everything was banging around in the boat. Glasses, food, bottles, cans, pens – you name it, it moved, it slid, banged and it rattled!
We stuffed the cupboards with loads of tea towels but it was all so noisy!
The sea was also slapping the stern of the boat (right under our cabin).

Of course I tried out the pilot berth and left John (it wasn’t a bad sleep either!). 
John finally retreated to the berth in the salon but he got a sore back from the bed to go with his sore head!

The anchorage was safe though so we decided to stay until daybreak.
..it was along 10 hours waiting for daybreak.