Time Flies
11 April 2010
Left Bitter end this morning for a downwind run to Marina cay. We need to be in RoadTown on Monday for some scheduled work and so wanted to be a little closer to Tortola so we can get there early in the day. The wind is still gusting up over 25 this morning. Jim clocked it at 27 some times and so we double reefed the main on the can, before we took off. Double reefed main and full Jib and we can still make 8 kts easy, and it was much more comfortable running before it. The sea has settled down and is much less than yesterdays beat into it although the weather is grey and threatening and not quite the bright blue Caribbean we are used to. I took the helm (Finally!) and am now beginning to get a feel for the boat. While I am comfortable with the livability on board it is taking me a lot of time to get used to actually sailing. Fortunately Jim is fine with it, and with the auto helm and the ease of this rig, he can handle a lot without leaving the helm. However, we are thinking about heading back to St. Martin later this week (weather permitting) and so I will need to be ready to take my watch. And just to add to the apprehension, we will be leaving here in the late afternoon, so we get to St. Martin in the morning. The out of site of land for hours doesn't bother me...but the dark...I find that really disconcerting.
Depending on wind conditions it could take anywhere from 14 to 16 or 18 hours, which is the reason to wait for the best weather window, and to go when the going is good. Under ideal conditions, we will leave when the winds are west, to north, as we are going just south of east, so it would be a run or a reach. Of course, the prevailing winds are east to northeast or southeast depending, so we'll wait and see what the forecast brings, and our boat work completed, before making the final decision.
Em concocted another fabulous dinner treat tonight. Chicken with cream sauce, rice and some amazing carrots with OJ, sugar and nutmeg that were out of this world! We'll need to take a walk tomorrow or a big swim to work off these yummy calories!