Well, shiver me timbers!!! We're stuck in Dunquerque as gale force winds overnight and today - force 9s - are with us certainly 'til Sunday and early into next week - can you believe this weather?!
You may recall we were booked in to have our mast taken down today at 2pm. We had a chat with the boatyard first thing today who said they'd do it - but at our risk! There have been lulls in the winds and we thought we might be lucky and catch one of those as a boat had theirs done at 11am today. But as we were casting off at 1.30pm the gusts built and built until we couldn't get off the mooring. Other boat owners were offering help but we decided it was just too risky to get around to and into the boat slings safely to be lifted so, disappointingly, we are still on our mooring. But at least we're safe, secure (we've doubled up mooring lines) and warm so it could be worse.
Several Belgian yachts that did battle yesterday along the coast are alongside us sitting it out - that's all you can do.
OMG!!! As I write the wind is HOWLING!!!! Absolutely terrifying really although we know the boat is secure. Just worrying that the pontoon is! I'm getting used to the noises the boat makes in such high winds so that's a relief. We've heard that Dover Coastguard has issued gale force warnings all around the coast - they are stuck in the same weather system and I can see the west country is too.
But we won't give up - we're booked in for demast next Monday so fingers crossed. Nothing much more to report than that. We'll just batten down the hatches and sit it out - with plenty of supplies and grog to keep us warm!
By the way, loving all your comments - keep 'em coming as it's great to know you're enjoying our journey - in real time probably more than us!
Over 'til the next time.
F&M
Dominic says....." Sometimes you just gotta go out in it" One captain to another!
ReplyDeleteI say...glad you're both safe and sound...
Hope the start of the week goes as planned and that you don't eat and drink too much whilst you're battening down the hatches...Although that sounds like a plan, and may just do that myself....
Will check in on Monday for the next instalment....
Lovin the adventure....
Cint x
Batten down after stocking up on Brie, Baguettes and divine fruit tarts and see the winds out. It's been windy and wet here too. Good luck with the demast and we await the next installment ....
ReplyDeleteThe Olivers xx