Cold and grey and a bit rough! Brrrrr.

I finally had to do it and gybed into another continent sized bank of clouds a couple of days ago (three days I think, bit of a blur actually). Despite setting up with three reefs in the main and a deeply rolled jib, it was still a nasty surprise with very cold 30 - 35 knots of wind and heavy rain. As shown in the weather predictions, I beat into 20 knots for two days and now the wind has rotated around to behind the beam and is dropping rapidly.

It feels like I am getting closer to the Pacific Northwest; cold slate grey water, low threatening skies, full foulweather gear and warm hat. I am stubbornly refusing to acknowledge that the tropics are behind me and still barefoot though.

Probably two to three more days heading due north to reach the top of the high and I can start bearing off toward the east and Seattle.