Beating

The winds shifted overnight to a very strong head wind.  Consequently, the waves started bashing into the front of the boat and I didn’t get much sleep last night.  The storm hasn’t really materialized, but we are catching the bottom of a high pressure system that is producing steady 15+ knot winds and 5-10 feet seas.  With the wind beating against us progress has been slow because we must continually tack the boat back and forth to make way.  Clouds have covered the sky and the air is very saturated to the point that everything is covered with a layer of water.  Waves continually crash over the bow of the boat, flooding the cockpit area with sea water.  It is very cold outside, but very comfortable (other than the moisture) inside the cabin.  This weather should continue for the next 12 hours or so, until the high pressure system moves in front of us.  At that point we should see southerly winds and make great speeds on a beam reach.  We haven’t broken out the chocolate truffles yet (a special thanks to Manolis and Gergana), but today has been one of the more miserable days at sea.  Our spirits our high though as we grab the helm, waves crashing around us, and blast “Magic Carpet Ride” over the stereo.