As predicted we had a busy night! We had 18-25 knots with intermittent squalls. We watched them creep toward us on radar and at 8 miles out we prepared the boat: we rolled up the Yankee and we shortened the main; then we started the engine and waited. We weren’t disappointed. I’ve just polled the (awake) crew and learned the total overnight squall count was 6. Jake and Leo had the most: 3, with 33 knots the highest gust, Kim and I had only one, with 35 knots. That kept us really busy: checking the radar, rolling sails in, getting rained on, motoring, rolling sails out, shutting down the engine, doing it all again…and again. You get the picture. Meanwhile we have had some big rolling waves, so we’ve had to hang on with the rolls. The good news is that the winds should begin to moderate sometime today, and perhaps the seas will lessen as well. However, the squalls are scheduled to continue.

Last night when the moon was out and the watch was joined by 2 rabid off watch football fans for the 2nd half of the Packer game, they all saw a rainbow that went from horizon to horizon caused by the moon! The ocean is probably one of few remaining places where there is so little man-made light that moonlight can create a rainbow. We are very lucky to be here. The Packers, however, weren’t so lucky. Sirius radio had fine reception for the second half of the game, so the local fans heard the disappointing result play by play.

I have managed to wake the off watch crew this morning for the third time. We all wear Man OverBoard watches as a safety precaution. When the watch senses saltwater it sends an alarm: to 3 loud horns, one in each stateroom; to the chart plotter, where it inserts a MOB waypoint; and to a light on the back deck. Additionally it sends a signal that can be picked up by other ships and planes. I had been on deck for 4 hours in the rain and salt spray. I’d come below to change fuel tanks, water tanks, and replenish the beverages in the fridge, when my watch alarmed. Remember those awful fire drills in school? Well, that’s what it sounded like. Leo, Ben & Kim were startled awake as I struggled to disarm my watch. And there were 2 other times while Peter was still on board. Once standing below with my watch inside the sleeve of my rain jacket at an hour when 3 crew were sleeping, and once when everyone was up I simply set it on an apparently damp head countertop. At this point we’ve retired that MOB watch. I’ll pull out a spare to wear.

Jake and Leo are on watch wishing the wind and seas would abate so they can begin fishing. They are desperate to pull some fish (and their reputations) out of the sea.

We have 260 miles to Barbuda, where we will have great fishing if it is daylight and the conditions settle down. There are 315 miles to Falmouth Harbour. The good and bad news is that we’re making over 9 knots in this wind (and probably a favorable current, as well). That’s good because it will get us there quickly, bad because it’s too wild to fish. The prediction is for the wind to drop to 15 and then light and variable later Friday and Saturday. If that happens, Jake and Leo will at least have the opportunity to catch up.

All the best from the crew of avalanche wishing for no more squalls and good fishing. 21 degrees 53 minutes N latitude, 62 degrees 59 minutes W longitude (to see where that is, go to maps.google.com and search for: 21.88, -62.98).

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