Good Friday Bad Friday

Yesterday we were running the gauntlet between Africa and Sicily, 140nm
of which have 50nm left. Wind predicted was 25 red and we had 30kts plus
coming across the bow. Windvane set at 55S we had main sail on second
reef and about one third of genoa, taking it slow and sideways over the
oncoming waves. Taking the waves on sideways is a no-no.We were going
between four and five kts, and also had a make-shift drogue out at the
back, two mooring lines tied in a loop. This prevented us from flying
over one wave and crashing into the next.

The waves on the Med are very close together, unlike in the open ocean
where they have time to spread out a bit. During this somewhat rough
conditions our second reef line snapped pushing the bit of sail we had
out against the shrouds. In a flash we turned on the motors , turned
into the wind while furling in the genoa and moved the boom back to the
center. Tightened he topping lift, dropped the sail and fortunately the
reefing line did not pull through the boom. Turned our stern towards the
wind and running down the swell with both motors running at 2000rpm,
doing about 8kts. Tied the reefing line back on, tied a sacrificial
reefing line and back on track again.

This little turn of events had our adrenalin going and we were high
fiving each other for pulling off a fairly dangerous operation. Not fun
standing on top of the bimini top while surfing down the huge swell. A
bit tensed up but ok. Had a rough night as well, a lot of rain and we
called All Ships procedure on the VHF every 30 mintues as visibilty was
not good. Even during the day we would see a ship on the horizon coming
right at us, call All Ships, reading our exact position, our course over
ground, our speed over ground and watch the ship alter course motoring
by a mile from us, passing port to port as the rules of the road
recommends.

We hope to get to Sicily within the next ten hours or so and will stop
for the night to get some provisions. The crew requested fresh fruit and
veggies only for the next day or three to Greece. Perhaps they want to
go on some type of vegan diet. For me I will then have to get some
salami, pizza, chocolate and things like that. Felix just spotted land
so things are looking up for us. Hope the shops will be opoen in the
morning as it is Easter weekend.

Our position currently at AM 10:00 UTC is 38*12'N/11*43'E. The sun is
shyly making an appearance, spots of blue appearing here and
there. Wishing you a most blessed Easter weekend.

Paul