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Ballytrim - Ballytrim day 5. 17th - 18th May 2014




"The Good the Bad and the Ugly".......

Now if you think by mentioning the above, Im referring to my good friends and crew mates aboard "Ballytrim", you would possibly be correct..... However, as I am conscious that bad deeds or words can often be replaced with much the same, or worse and their are more of them, Im going to keep my council on what I call the crew sometimes!!!
No, 'the good the bad and the ugly' could describe the past few days best and sort of sets the scene for the last 24 hours.

The good - was getting away and leading the pack, on the first day, plus making the right decision on what route to take given the forthcoming gale and associated weather in the Atlantic ahead of us. It was also good to be in such good company of friends who had sacrificed so much to be here on this adventure and supporting each other in what we do best - work as a team of mates....

The bad - was definitely the difficulty in living aboard a yacht, for 3 days, when it is 'hard pressed' at "close hauled". ( as close to the wind as you can sail without losing the wind) means the yacht is leaning over continually at angles around 25 degrees. Everything is hard work, especially as the new crew members are trying to find their sea legs. Its just such a battle getting into and out of bed. Dressing is a real chore. And its all happening in the dark too! It was bad. But we kept cheery faces and smiles as there was nothing else to do..... ( you have to remember most if these guys have given up work, families and friends to be here. Some are even on holiday !!!!!)

The Ugly was definitely last night (evening of the 17th morning of 18th May.) We knew it would be uncomfortable but most had no appreciation how scary and disorientating it can be sailing in pitch black with high winds/ near gale. We prepared well enough, had the main lashed down to the centre line and 'ran down wind ' with just the smallest of the jib (headsail being unrolled ) but we found Ballytrim was still surfing at 7 + knots and the seas were simply horrid. Short sharp, steep and confused - coming in from different angles with surf on the top of some. And it was all. In the dark!!! Ugly is a great word to describe it, But we came through 'shaken if not stirred'!!!!

It took a while to get our act together this morning and get the boat going again. We have no damage and no injuries, but we were shaken a little by the experience.

Now everything is back on song. Fast reaching and down wind sailing, not in the direction we want, but that's a oyster story for another day,,,,,

Glad to get the emails and share some banter with family and friends.
Keep well all.
We are - on Ballytrim
Sent from my iPad

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