ME! As the song goes.
Yesterday went well, reasonable winds and distance. As evening approached we saw the dark clouds on the horizon and lowered the Parasailor. Engine on. In the distance lightening appeared. Now, I'm not a fan of lightening at the best of times (after being hit in Houston a few years ago), so the hairs on my neck immediately stood on end. We placed as much of our electronics as we could in the oven (protection from a lightening strike - the Faraday cage principle for anyone who wants to look it up) and motored on as now the winds were building and coming from every quarter. Then the rain came......worst yet.
Jon was on shift but I went to help him out. As the wind built we motored at 2.5 Knots into the wind....realising that the parasailor needed tying down better on deck, Chris and I clipped on and went forward under the spreader lines to make her fast. By now the Bow was digging in to the confused seas and waves smashed over Chris and I. But, happily, at this latitude the water is very warm so in away it was quite enjoyable! Everything locked down we continued to motor, in total for 4 hours before we cleared the storm. The lightening fortunately was sheet lightening...very impressive but not a threat. In Jon's words "I don't like that!"....
By Midnight we were clear and the word was blowing all angles at 20 knots, so we ran with the Jib only to allow everyone to get some respite from the previous four hours bouncing. The jib alone approach gave us over 7 Knots over the ground.
As daylight approached and in 18 knot winds we raised the Parasailor ready for a good run. It lasted 30 minutes before the wind dropped to less than 10 knots...such is our luck!
For those desperate to keep up with our culinary escapades, last night we really pushed the boat out with some high cholesterol generating chilli dogs. Very nice, but I think today we will suffer. 600 Miles to go.....
No more storms today please!
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