Variable winds and expectations

Variable winds and expectations

Wed 9 June. Went through the night again, as we would. The wind picked up towards the evening and kept going long into the night. Did some fabulous sailing, managing over 6 knots with only about 10 kts of wind - reasonable ratio. The Kevlar main that we put on in Helsingör is working really well with the no 2 genoa. Some fog during the night and the visibility severely affected as a consequence. Chief Eng and Law fortunate had the radar on to avoid a potential hazard in the form of an oncoming ship, which would more than likely have detected us but had we not seen it and pushed in its way, who knows what could have happened!. We decided the second hand instrument had proved its worth and paid for itself.

Arrived at the Southern tip of the Öland Island in the morning and enjoyed a lovely omelette with lumps of meat in it. A real protein pack for a rainy day, which this 9th of June unfortunately turned out to be. Well, some half-decent wind again and never mind the cloud cover and the wee drizzle. The Easterly breeze that was carrying us along the East coast of Öland would start to turn into a North-Easterly one, Mr Mountain phoned fresh info from Helsinki, so we decided to motor out to North-East to be able to sail a long leg North past the Northern tip of Öland with a wind that is getting stronger, just nicely. If the winds really turn against us, we will still have about 20hrs worth of fuel, which will easily get us to Visby for some more.

At 15.30 which is just about now, got reef no 1 in on the main as the wind is about 15 kts, more in gusts, and cruising along at 6 kts, Speed Over Ground. With a little bit of luck we’ll get past the tip of Öland on this bearing of 24 degrees and will not need to tack again.Our expectation is still to be in Visby by the morning.

Thanks to all mermaids for their encouragement. Seamonsters comments are welcome too