GryphonSolo2: Change of mood

Current position - GryphonSolo2 © Joe Harris

We are now less than 1,000 miles from Lorient but as they say in the Great State of Maine, "You can't get there from here".

A major low-pressure system is sending 30k of Easterly wind right in our face so we need to dive a bit south and then sneak back north in the Bay of Biscay.

Longer route = delayed arrival in Lorient (June 5) = less turnaround/prep time for the departure on the Prologue Race to Morocco on June 11 = marginally crabby. But today, the gray skies and rain and high winds and general dreariness that has characterized this journey to date finally broke and the sun came blazing out through the clouds and we had bright sunshine and a following breeze all afternoon.

Roger and I put up the A6 fractional spinnaker with full mainsail in 12 knots of gentle breeze and the mood aboard noticeably changed. We next brought out all our wet clothes and hung them everywhere. In the middle of this sun festival we got hungry so brought up some salami, cheese, almonds, pistachios and a couple of cold Heinekens. All was again right with the world. What a difference a little sun and a following breeze can make.

Onward to Lorient!

For more information visit www.gryphonsolo2.com.