Well, after a very tough night, strong winds, sickness, boat is a mess down below and we are still crunching to windward through big seas. Its a total depravation zone at night now, no ambient light at all. So all of you who think you can sail blindfolded, you might have to one day!
Yesterday pm we rigged the emergency forestay and battened happy Morning down for the night. Good job too! All ok,. just getting a little beat up! Boat fine. Wet everywhere and back to paddling in the heads as water finds its way in through every nook and cranny.
Then, Dawn breaks and wind has moderated slightly. We unroll some genny and a while later have shaken out the reef. We are still punching waves and swells so our numbers are not that great. Mick R is working on the freshwater pump and although it felt as though we are out here on our own a large masthead rigged yacht has just crossed tacks with us about a mile off, heading west, or probably north of west. We are still punching just west of south.
Several flying fish decided to join the overnight watches at various periods. None big enough to warrant cooking so they were all returned to the briney. In a big sea the horse-shoe light occasionally bounces and turns its light on, and they seem attracted to it. Hopefully they wont be followed by their natural predator, the dolphin. Not enough room for one of those in the cockpit!
Today is cloudy with some sun. Its hot as heel below, everything but everything is either wet with seawater or soaked from humidity. Its nearly 30C and 75% humidity below. Even clothing in bags is wet wiuth humidity. I can easily understand clothes rotting at sea in days gone by. Actually I think our clothes are rotting. Or maybe its us. It certainly has an aroma down below. Signing off now, the sweat is pouring off me as I type. Suppose its snowing at home?
When Graham and Don told me that this was going to be a gentle jog with the wind up our chuff and sunshine and fishing. Not quite so far. Day two of slogging it out in a full on beat across the Atlantic. Not what it said on the tin. The only solice is that I guess everyone else in this sector is having the same weather to deal with. Its tiring and the routine in this slog is pretty much do the watches and get as many zzzz's as you can before its your go again. Full cloud cover, rain, and squalls. But at least its warm rain. Phew!. And its hot as hell.
Lets see what tomorrow brings.
Dave & Crew