Date: Sun 9th Dec 2012
Time: 13:30 UTC
Position: 15’15.34N 52’02.85W
SOG: 9-11 knots With a few moments up to 14.6
COG: 285 M
Weather: Tempestuous
Wind: All over the place but mainly ENE 18-34
Well – what another night !
Last night on both watches was a repeat of Saturday. But Captain Jacko and his trusty crew have by now learned to handle the tempests. Conditions under the line squalls are chaotic, with rotating wind directions, confused seas, and a seeming unwillingness to let the boat go once the tentacles of the Kraken got us. At night its also v difficult to assess which way the squalls are moving, so avoidance is tricky. Rain of tropical intensity accompanied all the squalls. Pity none of us last night had time for shampoo.
Conditions during the day appear to be more benign. But that’s probably only because we can see what’s coming.
Conversation and watch-change statistics have switched perceptibly now, from “How far did we run?” to “How far to go??” But as the wiser salts on board have said, watching the miles every three hours when there are still more than 500 to go just makes them pass more slowly. We still have at least 18 changes of watch to go.
Most frequent word heard on board last night? “RUM” and it wasn’t in relation to the weather. We are all hoping that the weather on St Lucia at this time of year is NOT the same as it is at sea!! If it is, we have all decided we shall go home before Christmas.
We lost sight of the kite on Friday night and haven’t seen it since. Calm down Andy – its bagged in the forepeak. Sails have been a regular alternation between poled-out working jib with two reefs in the main, on the really nice downwind sleigh-ride bits, and a deep reach when the wind direction won’t cooperate.
However after 2 all cloudy days Galileo was sharp today and able to do the astro sun sights just after 15 o’clock UT and about 45 mins later just in a few open spots in the sky filled with cumulostratus and altostratus. After finishing those the log to the finish waypoint was 499 mile. Time for a celebration music...
Imagine a really ratty weekend on the channel, in conditions which you really wouldn’t go out in. But then take away the cold air and water temperatures. That’s what we have here, and the whole thing becomes great fun. Getting soaked really doesn’t matter.
Love to All - from the Squall-busters