The old saying goes all hell breaks loose and it usually happens at mid night or around there anyway. We'd had a great downwind sail all afternoon after leaving Jervis. I was downstairs it seemed so sudden, the wind picked up, the lightning started the rain started getting heavier and heavier. By then of course I only had time to get on my wet weather jacket to help Greg.
The wind got stronger and stronger, seas built up very quickly. More lighting. We had two reefs but this was an unexpected thunderstorm. At least Greg had already furled in the headsail. Pitch black night, so when I took over the wheel to steer it into the wind so Greg could get the main in I couldn't see the wind instruments through the driving rain. Mast had been crashing from side to side as the wind kept veering & the boom break wouldn't hold it. So coming up into the wind it was imperative that I hold the boat into the wind so Greg could get the main down. Twang the lazy jacks broke. So Greg rushed to get ropes to tie down the main. Once the Mainsail was down the boat steady itself a bit but still running at 7.5 kts under bare poles.

We're in safe and sound now at Jibbon, Port Hacking, anchored. Its 2.18am, I made us a cuppa and we're warm. Greg checked the wind speed when we got in and it had hit 48 kts during the height of the storm. Greg tucked nice and snug in bed, I think he's already asleep.