Saturday 10th November
Yesterday we crossed a direct line which ships use to enter and leave the Med. Once again, the AIS was a must.
Today was a quiet day, The night watches followed by some motoring. By late afternoon we were sailing again. A beam reach and 6 knots speed over ground. As the evening drew in, the wind increased further and we started reefing the genoa. By my first watch at midnight we had a steady 25 knots which increased well beyond 30 knots by the time John and then Louise came on later.
By my second watch at 08:00, the seas was well up. Nobody had slept much and, as easily as Chelone cut through the big seas, there was lots of creaking, bottles clanking and so on.
John made a cup of hot, sweet tea and poured it over the side. This was Remberence Sunday, and it was suggested that this was a fitting gift in memory of past sailors lost.
By the end of the day we were all very pleased to tie up in the marina at Mohammedia. It was surprisingly cold for Morocco, fleece weather. The standard of the marina was, er, ......Moroccan. Small pontoons, poor water quality, fishing boats all round. The shower was warmish, with a pungent odour.
The customs guys boarded us immediately, and went through the ship's papers and those of her 5 crew. They were amiable enough.
I loved it. It is different and exotic, and quite adequate. Susie cooked a delicious tuna savoury and Louise a surprisingly good jam sponge with custard.
