Ouinne again!!

Well, here we still are. We actually left at 0500 but the wind was already starting then and by the time we had gone about halfway it was piping up to over 30 knots and on the nose as always. We had just come abreast of Recife Kouanne on our starboard side at a point where the coastline changes direction to the SE and we had been slightly protected by the lee up to that point but as we poked our nose out further the wind was howling and the sea building rapidly. To further complicate matters there isn't much protection from the barrier reef along here and so we were getting most of the oceanic swell as well. It all added up to a quite nasty sea and we were putting the Tiare's nose under at least with each 2nd wave. And well under at that. In addition we were way off our intended course so it was anyone's guess when we might eventually arrive at our destination. We would have had to put in many tacks for very little gain with reefs and shallow patches to contend with as well so we made the disheartening decision to turn back. Had a nice peaceful downwind sail back to Ouinne - the contrast was like chalk and cheese.
We managed to sort out a slightly better anchorage than last night so at least we are out of the swell which causes an annoying roll. It's still howling in here at well over 20 knots so it's anyone's guess what it's like outside. Must be over 30 we'd guess so we definitely feel we made the right decision. There is a large ship mooring buoy 20 metres astern of us so we are keeping a weather eye on that in case the anchor dragged but so far so good and this is certainly one of those times when we feel very glad of our Rocna.
We'll just have to wait it out and start moving again when the weather permits. There is at present a very large high between here and NZ which is causing all the problem with very strong SE winds in these latitudes.
We are very frustrated with this impediment to our progress but at least we're well and safe and that's the main thing.
Cheers and love again...............
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com

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