Monday 4th August
It’s remained glassy calm and windless all night and it’s another beautiful day of sunshine and clear blue sky. We can feel it getting colder now and Ian is on a mission to find the duvet that was stowed away somewhere a long time ago. Mid-morning Alex hoists the Australian courtesy flag and yellow Q flag in anticipation of our arrival in Coff’s Harbour, hopefully early Wednesday morning. We enjoy a lovely afternoon; very gradually the wind is filling in from the West and by dusk, we’re on a broad reach heading South at 8-9 knots SOG. While Annie is on the 6-8pm watch, she sees lightening in the distance – it’s probably the “possible thunderstorm” predicted by Bruce, and as the evening progresses the wind freshens. At approximately 9.30pm, while Alex on watch, the boat involuntarily tacks when the auto – helm cuts out. Ian and Annie get up to investigate but after trying to reboot the system it’s clear there’s a mechanical or electrical problem which could be a reoccurrence of the ram becoming disconnected. It can’t be fixed at night so Ian takes the helm as the wind builds. By now we’re all up on deck as it looks as if we’re surging towards what could turn out to be a fairly substantial thunderstorm. The wind has by now increased to 25-30 knots and our boat speed is 9-10 knots. We eventually take the first reef in and roll away some of the headsail. We’re still doing 9=10 knots, charging towards the eye of the storm and the cracking lightening. Although we’re all wrapped up and tied on we’re taking on some big waves – everyone is soaking and there’s torrential rain – oh the joys! While Alex and Annie sitting in the cockpit floor, Alex asks Annie if she’s religious at all – funny the times you get round to discussing these fundamentals of life …after a bit of discussion we both agree that now’s the time to source any higher influences we may have! Alex also asks Annie if it will reach the “TOP 3” worst sails of her life – answer; too soon to say! Meanwhile, the storm intensifies; we’re looking for a gap in the lightning (sheet and fork) which is all around, and change course several times to try and avoid the worst. The wind is now 40+ knots and we hear a bang – the reefing line has snapped. We put in the No 2 reef (during which Alex has to tell Kevin to let go of the boom before he is pulled overboard) by which time we have rolled away all of the headsail and we’re still doing 9-10knots. Shortly afterwards we find ourselves in the eerie eye of the storm where the wind is spinning round in all directions on the windex. There is a short lull then the rain comes down on us with a vengeance. The storm continues all night; thunder and lightning at very close proximity- we can’t seem to get away from it. By about 5am it starts to abate and we at last seem to be leaving it behind. Ian, who has now been helming hard for close on 8 hours, is cold and exhausted so hands over to Annie so he can go down below for a rest and to get warm. There’s still 20+ knots of wind, the sea is very rough and confused and the lightning is still cracking away although not as close. Annie sings a rendition of “The Crinan Canal for Me” and means it!