Southerly Change
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sun 5 Jan 2020 01:39
Course: ENE Speed: 7 knots
Wind: SSE, F5 fresh breeze
Sea: moderate. Swell: N 1.5 m
Weather: overcast, mild
Day’s run: 130 nm
The front passed through at around 0500, though by the time it got to Sylph the system had deteriorated into a trough. Consequently, rather than experiencing a sudden wind shift we were left wallowing in some lumpy seas and light winds for several hours. However, the wind gradually backed around and has now freshened again and the seas are organising themselves to its new direction. So, once more Sylph is close reaching, with mainsail reefed and the jib partly rolled, t a brisk seven knots, only now on the opposite tack. No doubt some new drips will be revealed.
Kate’s morning watch poem:
Three
was a red disc dawn
Ended capped
by half a moon also
tainted by smoky skies
In between were seas
pushed up blue
Contrasted white in
Strokes, swallows and flurries
Birds still flew
without settling
Sylph strode through
The decks now clean
and most of the top
brushed off and rushed over
All surfaces salty
No more seasoning needed
When the barometer dropped.
….
All is well