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Easy Rider - ...Captain's Log....Day 7



Tuesday was an eventful day!! It started slowly with little wind & by 0900 hrs we had already tried three different sail plans to help our speed & course.....largely to no avail.

By lunch time everything had improved & we were bowling along on a good course. We estimated we would reach the half way point by 1930 hrs, so the champoo went into the fridge & our celebratory, half way steaks came out of the freezer! Dinner was exellent......never have rib eye steaks been bettered!!!!!

During the course of the day we sailed through several squalls. Mid afternoon we saw one looming up behind us, we reefed the main sail put on waterproofs & life jackets......we were ready!! The wind increased by 5 or 6 knots, light rain for a few minutes & then it was all over. It possably made us (me) a little complacent!

On my night watch, approaching mid night, we were sailing along nicely in 14 -15 knots of wind when all hell broke out!! In an instance the wind increased to over 20 knots & Easy took off. Simultaneously the heavens opened & the rain came down in stair rods!! At this point in time, both forward facing saloon hatches were open, as were several roof hatches, ( it had been a warm & barmy evening). Having closed everything up I spent the next twentfive minutes battling to keep Easy on track.......The wind speed topped 35 knots & Easy topped 15 knots!! Finally the wind eased & I started to relax........on going into the saloon to remove my wet gear I found a 12 inch long flying fish on the sofa under the hatch I had earlier closed!

Thank god my watch was over & I could collapse onto my bunk!!

David.


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