First Light

First Light

First light gave me some idea of what we had been up against all night. I would have preferred the sun never rose.

The ostrich in me wanted to beat a retreat back to my bunk. Apprehensive would be understating my feelings. The secondary northerly swell looked to pound anything in its path as it sped across the faces of the large and confused primary westerly swell. Large breaking rests foamed the horizon white and for the first time I can remember there were no birds. I was utterly alone.

I had been saving a 2kg bag of almonds and another of raisins for,the turn north and home once in the Pacific or as emergency rations. Whichever came first. Without hesitation, I  stumbled and groped my way to the locker containing both, opened them both and refilled the long empty smaller containers labeled Almonds and Raisins. I figured better in me than in the hole.

The waves are forecast to get bigger still and the wind stronger. Saints preserve us.

If I could get going faster I would. Or rather when on deck I’ll try. The cloud in the pictures is towering cumulus and at their bases the wind is gusting 45+. The sail that would have us going well in the prevailing conditions is far too much in the all too frequent severe gusts. I have not yet chanced upon the happy medium.

Meanwhile, almonds and raisins never tasted so good.

Follow my tracks in real-time:
https://bit.ly/svseaburban