Saturday is our third day in a storm which shows no signs of letting up. In 24 hours we've travelled just 50 miles. That's how bad it is. Jamaica is still 350 miles away, and if the weather doesn't calm down, we can see a time in the not too distant future when the water will have to be rationed. Although we're burning it even without moving, at the moment fuel isn't a major concern, as we took on quite a bit more than we needed in Panama.

Carpets, cushions and food items in the boat are wet. The hatches - two in the cabin roof, and one in the forward compartment - have been leaking. And although the sun's out and it's hot, we can't put anything outside to dry, because the water which goes over the roof and comes through the dodgy hatches also lands on the aft deck.

Despite all of this, we're in pretty good spirits. We know we can't change the weather, only go with it. So we occupy our time listening to music, reading and (some of us) writing. We can't wait to try out Steve's latest culinary creation. It's a variation on his very popular Spam, Spam, beans and Spam, but this one tantalisingly with just a little less Spam.

For me there's a little pause for reflection Friday on hearing the sad news that John Entwistle (bass player with the Who) has died. Not everyone that knows me as journalist / adventurer also knows I once played bass in a rock band which nearly, very nearly, hit the big time. Entwistle's unique style certainly influenced the way I played, and, I guess still does on the odd occasions now when my trusty Gibson Thunderbird comes out of its flight case.

Standing outside, the wind tears at our T-shirts, filling them with air and causing them to balloon comically. Even knowing just how much it's impeding our progress, you can't help but look at the sea with a sense of wonder. Every so often there's a rushing sound like a jet as a breaking wave comes past us. It's incredible to think that wind can turn a normally flat sea into these agitated, angry waves.

Under consideration at the moment is Plan B, which is basically to go with the wind to the Cayman Islands, and not attempt to get to Jamaica at all. It would mean a longer passage round the western end of Cuba rather than the east, but at least it would keep us moving, and hopefully get us to the north of this big depression. But at the moment, we're just keeping that as an option, and continuing to make our way north. The ultimate frustration with all this is knowing that a hundred miles ahead of us the wind is just eight knots, and in Florida, there's absolutely none at all.

Clive Tully

Copyright Clive Tully 2002

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