L'Eau Commotion Westabout

6:00pm Monday 4th December 2017 ( UTC-2 ) I kept an eye on things through the night in the bright full moon as we steamed along under double reefed main and jib. After a fresh sunrise the wind eased a little so put out the full main but only for a while. The odd shower appeared here and there and with the breeze getting a little more back to double reef. Next a look at that small shower - it had filled the sky! Just enough time to get ready for a shower myself and out to the wheel. The wind seemed too strong on the beam so with a little coaxing got L'Eau Commotion to run before the breeze but there was too much sail and too much wind for the Windpilot to handle so I just had to hand steer as I watched gallons of water pour off the main and boom. It would have been great to wash some sheets and towels but there I was unable to do anything. It only lasted half an hour and I don't think the wind got over 30 knots but it certainly was very heavy rain. The wind eased right off but we were never becalmed and gradually thro ugh lunchtime the breeze steadied for a nice beam reach as we head South. The Boyz from Brazil nailed the ITCZ at 5 degrees N and now 4 degrees N so I will have to be extra vigilant tonight not to get caught in a squall. The charts look promising but till the Trades settle in these squalls can suddenly form within minutes.