Day 4

A long night as winds continuously strengthened. Took mizzen down in the dark with the boat bucking around as struggling to go right off the wind. One of the ropes driving the windvane steering slipped entailing a wild trip to the back of the boat to re-afix. Waves sloshing over the aft deck as the repair was effected. Some of the biggest waves we've ever seen with white spume flying off their faces. Averaging close to 30k for many hours plus our 5-6k downwind. Plenty of watery visits to the cockpit.

This evening we had another choir practice and it's starting to sound a bit OK. Ate up left over shepherds pie. Just water to drink. Everything is hard work. Making a cup of tea takes about 10 minutes, several new bruises and a lot of cursing. Nevertheless morale remains high though we are tired from last night exertions. Currently wind down to 20-25k though waves are still big.

I leave you with Jenny's limerick..

The Douches and M went to sea
In a boat that was green as a pea
The weather got rough
Conditions were tough
But were we downhearted?
NOT WE!!

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