Monday 23 April
Like all competent sailors, my crew follow weather forecasts diligently. This was one reason we decided to come North now, as gales are forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by another period of no wind at all – is there ever a happy medium in this part of the world? During Sunday, Mate had, as always, been watching the sky for changes, and noted a light dusting of high cirrus cloud when the mist lifted. This indicates a weather front is approaching, and is followed by much denser fluffy cumulus, heralding rain and wind. However, the cirrus also burned off as the afternoon wore on, leaving a clear sky in the evening.
Nonetheless, with one eye on the forecasts, and keen to complete this voyage before the weather deteriorated, we were ready to slip the lines at 0900 for the remaining 40 or so Miles. The electronics were switched on…and that’s when we discovered the effect of last night’s huge thunderstorm and deluge of rain. The wind indicator at the top of the mast had taken a lightning hit, and fried its circuitry. As this is part of my network, it is causing other instruments to spout rubbish.
Fortunately our multi-talented Skipper was able to identify the problem and isolate it pending full repairs (when it’s safe to go up the mast again), leaving the rest of the instrumentation to function normally to help us with a safe passage. However, by now it was late morning, the wind was already rising, and it was decided to retie all the ropes and undo all the sailing preparations in favour of staying snug in harbour until the storm has blown through – probably by Wednesday morning.
In the time-honoured tradition of stormbound sailors, Mate baked: two fresh loaves of bread and an apple cake. Supper was the old favourite, a warming Rendang curry, conjured from nearly all store cupboard ingredients.