by Moose

Well as it turns out its not all fair weather sailing and sun downers. Yesterday afternoon, the seas heightened and the wind increased, forcing the team to put a third reef in the main.

It seems we were indeed caught in a squash zone (where hi and low converge)and through the evening the wind and seas played a virtual game of tit for tat, each rising to accept the other one’s challenge by ratcheting up its ferocity.

By night-time, the crew were out on deck fighting to totally reef the main in and wrestle the steering away from the ensuing waves. With the wind gusting above 40 knots and 15 foot seas, the debate raged as to whether a hanky or pair of jocks would be the more appropriate size for the jib.

With an ink black night , roaring winds and crashing waves Hugh even joked that it may be time for the crew to put on their adult diapers.

Fortune favours the brave though and without the use of diapers or hankeys the winds and seas have calmed down to more a managable state. We are however still trundling along at a good six knots with a fully reefed main (aka No main) and partially furled jib. Big day today on the cuisine front- we brought forth the watermelon from the V birth and sacrificed it on deck!

That’s all folks More tomorrow