JesseMartin.Net
5th October 1999
THE strong winds continue. I had to stop the boat for two days earlier this week while a particularly nasty front passed me.
This means another two days longer before I get home.
It has been quite cold also, with one rain cloud pelting down small hailstones.
It only takes about a minute outside with bare hands before they start to sting - and less if you touch any metal.
My weather adviser had warned me about the possibility of 40 knot winds so, before it arrived, I ventured outside to get things ready.
Lionheart was only carrying a storm jib and travelling well as she surfed the moderate swell.
I had to tie down the spinnaker pole because the bungies were wearing out and large waves were forcing the pole free.
So I knelt down amidship at Lionheart's widest point while I replaced the bungy.
It was just bad timing because at that point a gust of about 40 knots came, as did an extra large swell, which caused us to catch the wave and heel right over as we surfed uncontrollably, turning sidewards.
It just happened that the boat was thrown over on the side that I was and Lionheart's shoulder dug into the water.
The safety lines went under and I was half submerged hanging onto them.
The pressure increased until the point where I felt at the mercy of the water rushing by.
By then though we had, luckily, come to the end of our ride and swung back into position with me left high and dry straddling the safety lines.
If I had gone overboard then I think I could have got back on deck because I had my harness on and the boat was surfing then stalling as the wave passed, which would have given me enough time to scramble on board.
Even so, I was not very happy with the situation. The inside of my cosy wet weather gear was now wet and I was in a bad mood.
I was flicking through the radio channels a couple of days ago and came across a French music radio station.
I wouldn't have a clue what the DJ was talking about but he gets quite excited sometimes.
The music is weird too but I just leave it on as it's nice to have a human voice in the background, even if I can't understand what it's on about.
A birthday wish to David Dicks who is turning 21 tomorrow and will be celebrating out at sea. What a place to celebrate!
I'm now an estimated 19 days away and looking forward to some sunshine. Most of this week looks like being 20-30 knots which should push me along quite well . . . hopefully.