It's been an incredible last 24 hours.

Yesterday we had a rising wind as we sailed out of the west side of a depression.

The conditions were fairly horrible - with a big swell and little wind - but, as the depression passed away to the east and we made southerly progress, the wind picked up to about 30 knots.�

It was incredible sailing. Even this morning, my eyes are stll stinging. We were piling through the waves.

Solid water flying up through the trampoline, making it almost impossible to look forwards as the spray drove at us at 30 knots.

Foncia was off, and loving every minute of it.

It really was time to clip on, as even in the center cockpit we were being thrown about when hit by the waves.

As it grew dark, we continued to fire along, and it was not until forst light this morning that we had a flatter sea and clear sky. �

The cross seas yesterday made the ride even rougher.

Everyone is OK, although Monday did take its toll on us and we are all quite tired and damp.�

We are expecting more wind later and are still waiting to fully dry off.

But spirits remian quite high. We have just had a great dish of bacon and eggs and the sun has come out at last.

It was a long, cold and hard-working night and it's time to sleep and recover. . .

Ellen