So near yet so far
Flinns
Terry/ Nicola Flinn
Fri 8 Jun 2007 13:39
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38:37.2N 33:04.5W Thursday, 7th June.
Only 250 miles west of the Azores, but we're going
nowhere.
The weather forecast warned that the Azores High
pressure has been replaced by a vigorous, deep depression and that gale force
winds and huge seas are expected for exactly our arrival time into Horta. This
means it would be foolhardy to continue towards the islands and we will have to
stay out in the Atlantic and wait until conditions improve; it will cost us an
extra 2 days and is even more painful when we think about the boats that have
already arrived safely in Horta.
Meanwhile, we change tack back towards Bermuda, so
we can work our way north, in order to have a better wind angle into Horta when
the weather improves. Nonetheless, in the first 24 hour period, we find
ourselves almost 100 miles further away from the Azores.
We also take the opportunity to practice with our
rarely used storm sails and try out various heave-to manoeuvres; surprisingly,
the optimum solution seems to be lying to a backed, deeply reefed
mainsail, with the headsail furled.
Now once again, we are on our way and expect to
arrive in Horta on Saturday just in time for the farewell
party!
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