'Hi, we are about 6 miles out of Audierne. Had to motor most of the way, came through the Chanel Du Four at dawn. We are now sailing the last 12 miles under spinnaker. Yes, we got it out of the bag!!! All is going very well, may be looking for a weather check if I can't get onto the Internet (www.passageweather.com) Sun is shining, light breezes from astern, hot, can't ask for much more.'
The Scribe responded with the following words of wisdom ref the spinnaker: Don't take your eyes off it for a second, it will do something bad! At this point she said that it sounded excellent and she wished she was there but secretly, she was sort of glad not to be given that the monster had been allowed out of the bag. She finished - And don't come crying to me if that sail mutinys, takes control of the boat, takes you to Somalia, hands you all over to pirates and then steals all your money!!The Kipper said that there was no danger of mutiny because the naughty spinnaker had realised he had no money left after funding the trip!! By 17:02 hrs he was tied up on a bouy in Audierne having a celebratory arrival drink in the evening sunshine.
Wednesday 20th June '12 - 10:52 hrs
'Morning, had a well deserved lay in this morning, flat calm with very heavy rain showers, gale warning W8 expected later. Doesn't look as though we are going anywhere soon. We are keeping a good eye on the forecast but a window may be appearing early hours of Monday morning. Rubbish. still, have lots of food to eat and we are in a nice sheltered bay. If rain stops will stroll into town.'
The Scribe felt the need to point out that the weather at home was excellent...for a change!
Wednesday 20th June - 17:37 hrs
'You don't have to rub it in about the weather, it's been so misty, sorry not mist just low cloud about 10ft from sea level so no photos from here yet. Have a very nice one of the Le Four light at dawn (to follow) Had a maintenance day, stopped leaks in the hatches, topped up diesel, repaired light in forecabin. Went ashore for a shower but they were closed on Mercredi!'
Thursday 21st June - 10:15 hrs
'Still sitting at Audierne, got a 25-30 knot westerly blowing and getting stronger. Forecast is crap, gettng stir crazy already. Still, the company is good'
The Scribe asked if they might take a trip ashore?
'Could be difficult we are about 100 metres from shore, we could end up soaked before we got there, in the conditions need one to say aboard. We are down wind from you, can you smell us yet? Washing on board today.'
The Scribe mentioned that there had recently been a strange odour wafting past the house - note to self, write to Gillette and tell them there are three test subjects ready and waiting in Audierne.
She now has visions of the three of them, all smelling slightly fusty with that 'I haven't washed, combed my hair or shaved for three days and I'm proud' look about them, all huddled below decks in the saloon squeezed together on the port side seat trying to get a good spot to view the small DVD screen, they'll be watching old movies but occasionally taking a break to mop the condensation soaked windows with kitchen roll. Each will be secretly looking at their watch trying to figure out if it's too early to suggest the first alcoholic beverage of the day. Occasionally, they'll poke their heads out of the hatch to survey the weather and within about 10 seconds they will declare that it's still pants and return to the seat only to find that someone else has nicked their spot. The Kipper will manage to fit in a nap (never able to sit through an entire film without falling asleep) actually, given the combine age of the three chaps, they'll probably all nod off...with the exceptionn of Bobbie D who is possibly the youngest (?) and is used to an active life of following dogs around on the end of a very long lead.
I spoke to The Kipper a short while ago and he tells me that they haven't yet resorted to the DVD's but it is looking increasingly more likely for this evening. The wind is dropping and is looking promising for Friday morning ish. They were going to try and head ashore this afternoon to find an Internet cafe and have a good look at the weather and try to formulate some sort of plan.
Of course the wind is in the W/WSW pretty much exactly where they want to go. They are reluctant to head out into Biscay with the wind firmly planted on the nose and the promise of a bumpy ride across the continental shelf. And...who can blame them.
No comments:
Post a Comment