The sea state built overnight, just as predicted, and today we find ourselves rolling from side to side, and gripping onto every available handhold just to stay upright!, Cate spent much of the day repacking cupboards, the contents of which have been crashing around, and stuffing them with cushions. We’re gradually learning the tricks for what feels like living in the spin cycle of a washing machine.
With the wind also having changed – both increased and backed to our stern – we have been playing with assorted sail configurations to find the ideal downwind set up. I think we may have cracked it, with a poled out genoa and a reefed main set on the other side.
The other bit of excitement came when we started the watermaker, to find one of the connectors leaking. Fortunately that proved to be easy to fix with a bit of plumbing tape.
Otherwise we have been cruising gently along, enjoying the sunrise and looking out for other boats in the rally, most of whom now seem to be getting ahead of us.
Go Cate and Jonathon, go Merryn!
Loving reading your daily posts; we’re with you every nautical mile you travel, with every gust of wind in the sails, and for every tumble of the swell machine in the cupboards. What an experience! Thank goodness for cushions and plumbing tape. You are our heros! Stay safe, keep the blogs coming, Love Sally and Joris xx
Hi Sally and Joris,
Thanks for your message. It’s great to know that you are thinking of us. We’re almost half way on our leg to Mindelo. It all seems quite unreal after all the planning and preparation it has taken to get to this point. xx
You’re halfway (ish), so there’s no turning back! It looks like you’re making great progress, and it won’t be long before you reach land and have a proper sleep.
Thanks Richard, all is going well despite the inevitable hiccup. We are just about to settle down to an evening meal of lasagna before getting in to the night watches.
Cate and Jonathan,
I’m following you daily-the posts are perfect in length and keeps the reader hanging in there for the next entry.Your trip sounds amazing despite the various challenges.You must both have very sturdy sea legs and great stamina to put up with the washing machine conditions.Hope the weather improves for you.
Thinking of you both.
Helen