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Starblazer - 18/03/2014 – When squalls are welcome



I never thought I would welcome the approach of a squall, however there have
now been two occasions when I have been pleased, even a little regretful
that they have been so short lived. When we could see the squalls coming in
daylight we could make use of the free fresh water for showers and hairwash.
At night that would be impossible while remaining harnessed on wearing a
life jacket! Before dawn broke yesterday morning several squalls came
through bringing increased winds. The forecast had been for 13 to 20 knots
but we were only seeing 8 to 12 except in the squalls when it peaked at 24
knots once. In the lower winds we do not make much speed and bob around on
the ocean, tossed by the swell and the waves coming from different
directions. In 18 to 20 knots Starblazer forges her way forward, the swell
and waves seemingly having less effect.

Yesterday’s weak winds and some decidedly sideways sailing when the wind
backed contributed to a pathetic day’s run of 121nM, which is an average of
5 knots. We need to average 51/2 to reach the finish line close to the ETA
I submitted before we left. An average of 6 knots makes it a midnight
arrival so we need 61/2 to ensure a daylight arrival a day earlier. We
shall see.

It was quite a negative day: nothing broke, nothing got mended, no fish
nibbled at John’s lure, in fact nothing much happened but I did read a book
and did some cross stitch!

On the catering front it was a traditional ‘left-overs’ day from my
childhood, not that we ever had batter or jelly left over! I made pancakes
for breakfast, smothered in maple syrup, followed by toast and marmalade.
Lunch was the normal, boring open sandwiches of ham and cheese. Dinner was
cold roast beef, new potatoes, carrots, green beans and gravy followed by
‘Cheat’s’ version of Iles Flottantes. I had a couple of elderly meringue
nests which needed eating and some semi-set left over jelly, the nests
floated nicely. We also had some left over wine.

We are hopeful that today will be a better day. The sun is now up, the
breeze is just touching 14 knots and we are sailing well though not in the
right direction, yet again. The geometry of the stern of Starblazer does
not allow the hydrovane sail to move freely on all points of sail so, with Q
in charge, we can only sail with the wind 20o to 30o off the transom when we
really need to sail with the wind dead astern. John will probably tweak a
few things when he gets up.
John: tweaked and sailing dead downwind.

Joyce



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