STRONG WNW WINDS, LED LIGHTING and CROCHET, 14 June, Day 51

STRONG WNW WINDS, LED LIGHTING and CROCHET, 14 June, Day 51

I have lived on the boat for enough years in Malta to know that the prevailing wind direction is from the North West and I know where to anchor to be comfortable and sheltered from that wind. Once at this time of year I was anchored without moving in my “hurricane hole” just East of the Mellieha Bay Hotel for 6 weeks. It is so sheltered that the actual wind I experienced was often just half the strength of the wind out in the bay.

Marina di Ragusa is only about 50 miles from Malta so experiences similar winds. Now we are experiencing the common situation of strong winds blowing out of the South of France, squeezed between the Pyrenees and the Alps. These NW winds continue with force past the south of Sardinia and funnel down the gap between Sicily and Tunisia. On Thursday these are showing as the strongest winds across whole of southern Europe. In the marina we are protected from swell but we don’t have the cliffs and shelter afforded by cosy anchorages so being on the boat in the heart of the marina we feel the full strength and coldness of the wind. It would be more comfortable in a sheltered anchorage.

Since replacing one light in the Galley with an LED one I have been puzzling for a few days why another light did not work. Eventually I found the two reasons and set to repairing it. The non-working light needed a solder connection and I thought it was time to find an LED replacement to make less drain on my 12 volt system. The Chandler outside the marina had just one and now we have better light and can use less power. If we still have the boat next winter we need to change the other 6 cabin lights to LED and perhaps navigation lights too.

Anita continues her fascination on creating clothes and other items from crochet so we have stocked up with a few balls of yarn for the quiet bays ahead. Once cruising the acrylic paints and canvas will come out again too. She is especially happy when creating art.

The new Yamaha outboard motor is scheduled to be delivered and connected on Saturday so in theory we can leave on Saturday afternoon, but with wind forecast of Force 6 gusting to Force 7 it may be prudent to start the first sail of the year on Sunday instead.