The Big Blow
It all seemed to be going so well. One more day of light winds and then a brisk NNW to blow me into Plymouth. I had even revised my ETA to Wednesday (and even hoping for Tuesday night). This morning’s weather info looked good. Noo sign of the big blow that will delay my progress by two days.
As usual, it was Herb who was the bearer of bad tidings. The situation has changed so quickly. Now he is predicting Gales just as I would have been heading onto the continental shelf. Not a good scenario with the heavy traffic which I will face in the English Channel. So, just as I was looking forward to breaking the 500nm barrier in a few hours time, we have changed course, jogging NNE for the night. I guess I will be hove-to from Saturday evening through until Sunday afternoon. Maybe then I can
start to head east.
It is very demoralising but I am becoming accustomed to such setbacks. ‘Fai Terra’ is in the same boat as I. Luna Quest, who took a much more aggressive approach charging towards the Low in an attempt to stay in the strong winds - will be in Falmouth on Monday night - lucky fellows. (Ah - I am listening to Radio 4 and for the first time since I went away I hear ‘Sailing By’ known and loved by sailors and insomniacs as the tune which precedes the late night Shipping Forecast). It makes me feel so
close to home while these Lows, (the shipping forecast has just mentioned a new Atlantic Low developing in Finisterre. It will be coming this way!), tonight make the distance seem insurmountable. Isn’t it supposed to be summertime?