Day 4
July 9, 2024 | Day 4 At Sea | Passing 59º North
Yesterday we sailed north beyond 59N to just over 60N before changing course towards the Fair Isle Channel between Orkney and Shetland. This was so that we could get a good tack through the channel. Sadly for us, this is a windward trip all the way so far. Maybe we will have a reach across the North Sea? If we ask Neptune kindly?
There has been much talk about tides, planning, and calculations to assess the tide going through the channel. But at the end of the day, we will arrive when we arrive and we can’t change that. We have also been following the grid files closely; strong winds are forecast for our final few days crossing the North Sea. Let’s hope that this does not turn into a gale.
On a more domestic note, cooking has been a theme of this trip with the crew cooking yummy breakfasts and lunches for their watches. We have eaten 8 dozen eggs! Not to forget Manot’s amazing bread and brownies.
The crew are now experienced at reducing sail and manoeuvres are going smoothly. It’s amazing to think back to our departure from Galway and everyone struggling to learn the ropes of this new boat.
On a personal note, it is so good to be back at sea. We are only just getting into the rhythm; it’s going to come to an end far too soon. Can we just keep on going please?
Before crew look forward to making landfall in Norway, we have one more challenge: to cross the North Sea to Norway. Let’s hope we have fair winds.
- Jojo Pickering, Skipper S/Y FALKEN
JoJoPickering
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!