A clam cleat for the mainsail tracker needs fixing or replacing. The companionway hatch needs to be watertight. The speedo/ log not working. Wind vane at top of mast needs renewing as giving intermittent or false readings.
My ex- Boss Jim said that I would be bored out of my head. Don't think so !!!
The day after our return, Alison scrubbed and waxed the hull and top sides, hid the tattered mainsail under the cover and tightened every screw she could find.
I cleaned the bilges and serviced the bilge pump. Repaired the float switch. Cleaned the heads.
We borrowed an electric heater from 'Tarquilla' to help dry out the boat.
Alison had a good day telling of our adventure. It was great to see her so animated an happy.
We checked the weather that we had experienced, we couldn't understand it.
The Met office, that we didn't check beforehand because they don't give much detail, said force 5-7.
Our neighbour Lauren, said that he was worried about us, in a force 6. He said that we may have underestimated the sea state. Our other neighbours Erik and Brigitte said never to go straight across Biscay but to head out West before going South.
Lauren has been a professional Skipper for 20 yrs and Erik has sailed since childhood. They are waiting for better sea conditions before venturing south.
We haven't been put off by our failed Biscay attempt. Mark of 'Tarquilla' said ' If you make it back and your boat is in one piece and all of your crew are accounted for, you have had a successful voyage'.
In hindsight we would have been better off continuing or bobbing about until we felt better. Sea sickness, in our experience, must be the most dissabiliting thing that can happen to a sailor.
However, we need to be better prepared next time.
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