Crossing the Indian Ocean - Cocos to Rodrigues Days 9 - 11
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days 9-11
Day 9 Miles run last 24 hours: 162
Miles to go: 779
We've not been able to sit in the cockpit for the last four days. The wind and, mostly the errant waves, prevent us from sitting there and staying even a little dry. I'm not talking salt spray; I'm talking big old drenchers. We wander up for few minutes at a time to get some fresh air, mostly standing on the top step of the ladder in the shelter of the companionway. When we hear the thud of a wave hitting, we duck back down. Think of hermit crabs in their shells! At least we're making good progress.
We're more than halfway to Rodrigues and celebrated with Halfway Alfredo for dinner. I'm certainly looking forward to a calm anchorage in Rodrigues for dinner, a glass of wine and sleeping in our comfy bed together. We're both lame and sore from sleeping in the sea berth (among other causes)...lots of ibuprofen being consumed.
As we make our westerly progress, it's becoming light later in the morning and staying light later in the evening. The time change from the Cocos to Rodrigues is 2-1/2 hours. We prefer the light later in the day and thus, we're resisting making any changes. We'll have to do it eventually, just not now.
No fish on deck ...all washed away. Morale: We're not biting each other's head off or anything.
Day 10 Miles run last 24 hours: 157
Miles to go: 622
Same old...same old. Winds and waves have not diminished although each weather forecast indicates it will, but always "tomorrow". So far tomorrow hasn't come and cabin fever isn't helping the morale problem.
A bit of clarification...we are not life-threatened; we are mighty uncomfortable and a bit grumpy. Big difference. We share with you the good, the bad and the ugly ...mostly so you understand it's not all wine and roses everyday ...just most days.
We hit 5,000 nm sailed for the year today! We shared a chocolate bar to celebrate. Hard to believe, we started this year in Adelaide. Seems like eons ago. Reminds me that I should put a bottle of champers in the fridge to chill. We sail dry ...that is, no alcohol while on passage. We'll deserve some bubbly when we arrive in Rodrigues! Oops almost forgot (in case you're keeping track) 2 flying fish in the scuppers today.
Day11 Miles run last 24 hours: 141
Miles to go: 481
At last...we've escaped from below decks and we 're out in the fresh air again. Winds are 15-20 knots on the beam; seas are down, although every once in awhile a big breaker crashes onto the scene, prompting an immediate duck and avoid maneuver.
The wind gen tail has literally disintegrated in all this rough weather, rendering the wind generator unusable at the moment. We realized just how much it contributes to our power bank when we had to start the engine in the middle of the night last night to charge up the batteries. All those navigation electronics and the autopilot that we love so well certainly do suck down the power. David is going to try to repair it underway ... always a challenge on a rocking boat.
Below decks looks like a typhoon hit. Salt water sodden things never seem to totally dry out. We have stuff draped everywhere. Everything is out of place and looks dirty and messy. There's a thin layer of film on everything ... a combination of salt and passage dust. I imagine there's not a port locker aboard whose contents isn't ready to spill out as soon as its latch is opened. The starboard lockers are all in a jumble. The good thing about a boat ...they're small enough to straighten out in an hour or two. The cleaning and un-jumbling will take a bit longer, but Cups will be livable within a few hours after we're anchored in Rodrigues. Always look at the bright side of your life!
Deck count: 1 flying fish; 1 squid