Sunday, December 12, 2010

Force 11 gale from Piraeus

Before we sailed from Piraeus, our Captain told us of an impending northerly gale - which would make life a bit uncomfortable for us from about 2AM onwards for around 12 hours. We had been expecting something like this before we sailed - so for it to delay it's onset until after we had had dinner, gone to a show and retired to our beds was very considerate. We felt it's strength during the night - but when daylight broke and we looked out of our window and turned the TV on to the "information Channel" - we were VERY surprised to see the windstrength listed as Force 11 and the height of the waves!!! They were quite closely spaced and did not have any underlying long Ocean swells accompanying them as you get in the larger oceans. We basically kept to our beds until lunch time - when we crept upstairs, had something very light and returned to the cabin.

We are approaching the island of Sicily - which will shelter us tonight and the wind has already fallen to "only" Force 9. Christine - who has always claimed to be a poor sailor- has done remarkably well and not
been sick. (Nor have I). We really haven't been able to get much in the way of "sea legs" on this cruise - as it has been very calm for most of the trip - only the one day between Manilla and Hong Kong, and today
have the seas been rough.

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