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Selene - Awesome



Shortly after posting the last blog navigator Bob suggested it would be a good idea to try a kite. The wind had moderated to 12-15kts and it seemed fairly settled. Bob insisted his met was that it was likely to remain calm through the night and that on this angle of wind (150-160 TWA) we would be more stable with the Badger as we call our black and white heavy weather kite. So in glorious sunshine at about 1730 we hoisted the Badger and I must say it wwent rather well, albeit slowly as we took our time to get it right. Thewre was a small issue of chafe of the spinnaker sheet on the bimini frame so we decided to fly it from both guys. This strapped it down quite tightly which made us more stable still and Bob had a glorious hour helming, grinning like Mr Toad and frequently muttering "Badger, Badger, Badger!".

Around 1830, just before sunset the wind began to build to around 20Kts and just above with some dark, threatening squall clouds off behind us, so I made the sensible call to drop the Badger. The drop was even more impressive than the hoist. We had rigged the lazy (redundant sheet through the letter box and after letting the pole forward on the windward guy we let the guy off all the way. The kite was then doused in the lee of the main and Sewer Rat Lily pulled it straight down the companionway using the lazy sheet - text book. Almost immediately the wind blew up to 25 knots as Rob was tidying the foredeck and we ran on under main alone. Once the foredeck was clear we then unfurled the genoa and blasted along at 8-9 kts for the next several hours.

I came on watch at 1100pm when the wind was getting up to 25+ kts. It was fun and a white knuckle sleigh ride, but discretion prevailed and we reefed the main. We were still haring along at 9-10 kts with some big surf actionbut as the windspeed began to rise I thought it prudent to put a further reef in the main. Much easier to handle and still screaming along regularly topping 10 knots. Almost reluctantly I went to bed again at 8pm after caeving generous helpings of serano ham from our leg of Jamon, which has sat very comfortably in the gallery, secured on its Jamonero so far unopened. This went down well with Kevins warm freshly baked bread with Irish butter and some quesa - a little sherry would have completed the meal to perfection, but though we do have some on board I do not feel the weather conditions are sufficiently clement or stable to partake.

I was woken again just before 0100 as Kevin and Rob had spotted a squall coming up from behind. We managed to get the headsaill furled after some drama with a riding turn on the furling line - inevitably and comfortably ran off under the main with 2 slabs in 35kts as the rain started. Luckily it was short lived and I went below to dry off and put the oilskins on - a little late perhaps, but then back up for an awesome 2 hours surfing the 4-6 metre swell in 25+ kts with about 2/3 of the genoa out. What fun. Selne was loving it. She was made for conditions such as these and was no slower for the shortened sail. A spectacular night with a nearly full moon and interesting cloud formation. In my final watch, before dawn we were steering by the moon, sailing hell for leather down the silver reflection off the mighty Atlantic Ocean.

So much for Bob's met. It seems we have another 12-24 hours of this, so I am sure we shall be glad of the pork and pepper around lunchtime.



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