Water Music Progress update
Watermusic
Fri 6 Sep 2013 17:14
Position 42:44.7n 18:22.9w
Be careful what you wish for. Shortly after getting concerned that we
were never going to find any wind, it arrived.
At the outset it was a small black cloud on the horizon on wednesday night
after dinner. Within about 10 minutes it had blown into a steady 30 knots
over the deck and gusting rather more from the ENE – straight where we were
heading. Presumably because of the speed of its arrival it was accompanied
by a steep, short sharp and confused sea. We managed to get the main
reefed down in short order and continued on our way – now heading about 20
degrees South of our preferred course to Spain. Thankfully we were North
of the Rhumb line – but didnt want to give us the distance we had gained too
easily.
There followed an uncomfortable and very wet night. There is no moon
and we had full cloud cover anyway – so not even anything to report. Given
the conditions we doubled up on watch and so, at the end of the night, everyone
was feeling a little tired. Yesterday was a little quieter – but still
25-30 knots of wind all day – but now on a fetch as opposed to having to beat
into it.
Last night was calmer again and we were able to revert to one on watch at
any one time & today we even saw some sunshine.
Current conditions are a lot more gentle. We have about 20 knots of
wind, from about 50 degrees off the bow. That means we are sailing at
about 8 knots and staying mostly dry- shipping the occasional greenie straight
back into the cockpit! Have also discovered that the clothes locker in
Andy & Alistair’s cabin is leaking – so all their clothes are wet. Not
much opportunity to change them & we are hardly going out for
dinner.....
If we keep current progress up we should be in sight of Cabo Finisterre on
Sunday night and arrive at our destination in the Ria Muros early on Monday
morning.
Eating well, no fish yet & may be reverting to hard tack
soon.... |