Webster - Log 21 - Sooty pays a visit

Wednesday 11th December: Position 14 30N 45 28'W. A fairly uncomfortable night rolling around like crazy still averaging over 7 knts with two reefs in the main and a boomed out genoa, occasionally reefed in gusts. We have experienced some quite big seas running and has got rough on occasion which has meant life on board, particularly below deck, has been challenging. No-one got much sleep (except Carl who could sleep for England A team) and there are a few tired faces around this morning.

The whole day has been like being on a rollacoaster and we have had numerous rain squalls to keep it interesting as you can't tell which ones will carry a 40 knt punch, luckily not many. The course has not really allowed flying the spinnaker and besides it has been generally too windy so mostly have had the genoa boomed out and two reefs in the main. The boat has been creaming along and feels a lot faster than actually is the case as we surf then slow. Jeremy's 1600 24 hour run from his GPS came in at 170 nm which is 7.1 knts so not bad.

The talk is of arriving sometime on Monday but that would require daily runs of 180nm. More likely Tuesday morning maybe?

As evening falls tonight the wind is up and the autopilot struggling in the big seas running; it has spun out once or twice but otherwise has been doing an excellent job. The wind has come around right behind us so having to steer up slightly above our proper course to prevent a gybe and it is again quite uncomfortable living with the frequently violent rolls.

Carl made dinner tonight, marinaded chicken fried with saute potatoes. Lovely. Afterwards we were following a particular cloud formation with interest which resembled initially Sooty, then moving through a Terrier dog to a Poodle to Snoopy and ending up a Teddy bear. Also trying to put proper words to Frank Sinatra's My Way as well which is proving difficult, but hopefully will become our ship song!! Watch this space. However, it is all clear evidence that we really need to be off this boat!

Charlie - Webster