Midwatch 11-13-13

Exciting 24 hours here on Midwatch.

That front we mentioned hit us pretty good.  It came across the calm water at us in classic  form.  We started with double reefed main and storm jib but chickened out and furled the jib before the front hit.  The wind built steadily till it was gusting up to 40.  The waves built quickly with it.  An attempt was made to hand steer and carry on  but as darkness quickly fell, we gave up and hove-to for the night.  There was really no decision other than that for us.  This was the first time that I wanted to break out the earplugs so I didn't have to     listen to the pounding and shrieking.  Very relieved to pull back the hatch this morning 
and find everything fully intact.  We lost about 20 miles and 12 hours of running so it was a bit of a set back but nothing we aren't used to.

Kim is feeling much better and Anna is doing very well.  Finn was a little scared for a time last night so he slept with mom...meaning he got 80% of the berth and she got the 20%.  Still better than the floor spot I took between the engine compartment doors and fridge, actually 

much better than the cockpit option last night.  We had the AIS alarm set and the closest a  fishing boat came was 3.5 miles.  Can't believe those guys go out and work in that stuff.

We have been running on a broad reach all day today with big sea and swell and winds in the  low to mid 20's.  We are going to have to do a downwind tack shortly.  We were planning on a daylight rounding of Cape Finisterre but our delay means we will do it tonight.  The good    news is the dreaded Bay of Biscay is effectively behind us.  The bad news is that this cape  looks particularly challenging.  We are going to try an inside track hoping for better seas  in the lee of the land.  If that doesn't work we will have to cross the shipping channels and get to the deep.  This area has 30 kt winds scheduled for days so we are just going to go for it.

Oh yeah, Kim is better but I am still cooking = pan of mac and cheese while 
sitting on the cabin floor and two spoons.  Kids loved it!

Bob, Kim, Anna and Finn

Current position:
16:11 UTC
43 D 56.767 N
8 D 38.477 W
Speed 6.1 kts
Heading 202 D True

Last Night When we Hove-to:
44 D 31.550 N
7 D 52.445 W

This morning when we started sailing again:
44 D 44.167 N
8 D 16.109 W