Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

Today was possibly the most difficult day weather-wise this passage and
such a contrast to our glorious weather and sail yesterday.  The wind picked
up during the night and with it came larger seas.  By this morning we were
sailing along wonderfully and swiftly at 8+ knots; we had visions of
entering the Strait early Tuesday morning.  It is awesome how quickly the
weather can change; from a flat sea to big swells, our ship was moving quite
intensely today.  We are on a starboard tack, heeled to port, with a
side-to-side and forward dipping motion.  Several trainees were quite sick
today, throwing up and nauseous.  Seas coming over the side kept the decks
wet and some good-sized waves hit the hull and sprayed the entire watch
standing in the stern of the ship.  The temperature was very, very cold and
trainees were bundled up more than ever.  As well as the wind and cold, we
have driving rain.  Wet rain gear and rubber boots abound below decks.  With
the motion, many things were thrown into disarray; the galley, our bunks,
table tops etc. things get dislodged easily.  The watches were wonderful at
keeping each other´s spirits up on deck; it isn´t always easy to stand in
the cold wind and rain for 4 hours at a stretch, I admire the watch officers
and their crew.  Those who were not on watch were below, sleeping, drying
off, warming up, reading, writing etc. It was a quiet day.  Because we were
hoping to come into the Strait tomorrow morning, today was the final day of
my boys´ ´organized´ school work days.  We spent a long day in the after
cabin finishing things off; it feels great and the boys are thrilled, they´ve
done well.  Jordan celebrated with a ´beef jerky´ party for all 4 of them in
the boys´ tiny cabin.  Tonight we made contact with Tofino traffic, the
regulatory body for ship movements on the coast.  It was a welcome sound.
It was also good to hear Environment Canada´s weather report on the VHF,
voices we haven´t heard for such a long time but that ring so familiarly.
Mid-afternoon the wind shifted and subsided somewhat and we are now heading
into it.  Our speed has gone down to 4.4 knots but we´re still sailing . . .
wonderful.  We are sailing under trysail, foresail and jumbo.  Skipper is
expecting a change in weather tonight, the wind is supposed to switch to a
light westerly which would provide us with a great wind to sail into Juan de
Fuca Strait with.   For Antony, Skipper, Jose, Gillian, Katie, Jordan, our 6
kids and I, today was the 1 year anniversary of the day we started this
offshore voyage, with trainees for Leg 1 boarding and all of us moving
aboard, June 2, 2007.  We were remembering that day together; it is still
very clear in our memory.   We are hoping for nicer weather tomorrow, though
the seas are remarkable and I don´t tire easily of watching them  . . . it
would be nice if it was just a little warmer.  Until tomorrow, good-night,
Bonice.