Soaked and windswept at Choshi Marina
It is stormy outside. The wind has howled and the rain has poured since yesterday evening, really cranking up through the wee hours this morning. I popped down to Choshi Marina to check on Happy Socks ahead of a visit by the Customs Officer. The Coast Guard had already called off their inspection on account of bad weather. Needless to say, there was no inspection by Customs because poor Happy Socks was being boshed about so much on her moorings and the rain and wind so strong that we might not all have come back. I am always in awe of the power of nature – gusts knocking things over and rain sounding like bullets – and the dynamism of it all.
The other day when I had some photos taken by visiting photographer James Sebright, it wasn’t quite a millpond but it was fairly jolly calm.
Sitting with Happy Socks on a much calmer day (c) James Sebright
One of my Japanese friends Kay told me that these storms are called ‘Bomb low pressures’. I can see why – it is pretty gnarly at the moment. Yachts were being rocked right over at jaunty angles, tugging at their lines or leaning right over the pontoons, and the palms were being thoroughly blasted. It was like a very wet wind tunnel on full throttle.
Choshi Marina was being whipped up into a foaming mess.
For me now the focus is on keeping myself as focussed as possible, given that my To Do List for Happy Socks has just about run itself out. No window for departure just yet – so wait, we shall.
All best from Choshi x
And a bomb it appears to be. Looks like good time spent catching up on blog. Good Luck!
I see the design difference between Happy Socks and Dippers is the flattened bow compartment for solar panels. How simple yet effective.
Yes – it certainly adds a nice bit of extra power. We also raised the floor in the aft cabin and added lockers either side of the bed for extra storage. I didn’t have setup for a harness in the aft cabin either in Dippers – we now do. After last summer we also strengthened the bulkhead into the main cabin with braces, added a bilge pump in that cabin too that I can pump from my bed as well as extra tie-down points in there and a ‘tail’ on the rudder pin so that I can remove and refit it at sea if needed.
Enjoy the row with Angela next week!
S
Have been following you since the start of your adventure Sarah, and will be with you everystep of the way ( or oar of the way) across the pacific. Hope you get away before to long. God bless from Ray ( a chaplain at UHCW hospital in Coventry.
Mother Nature is fierce sometimes. Best be sure to wear that tether and life preserver when you decide to begin bouncing around on the ocean! Wishing all the best. You look fantastic and happy. Have increased your workout regime while you have been planning for part two?
Hi Sarah
You’re looking great! ….. I think n a t u r e is just giving you one last reminder of her amazinly awesome power before you set off on your travels to listen to her and respect her every step of your way and she will be there to help you 🙂 I don’t often post on your blog but rest assured I have been following your inspirational journeyings since Personal Everest and have extemely high regard for you and what you give to humanity through who you are and your adventurings. Big hugs. Juliet xx
SARAH SARAH SARAH I KEEP TELLING YOU ARE ON THE WRONG OCEAN HERE WE ARE IN GERALDTON THE SEA IS BEAUTIFUL AND CALM THE SKIES ARE BLUE AND AS GOD HASNT GRANTED PIGS WINGS YET THE LIKELY HOOD OF RAIN IS SO REMOTE THAT WE DONT EVEN TALK ABOUT IT ANY MORE BY THE WAY WE SAY OVER HERE IN AUSSIELAND WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO RAIN AND SOMEONE SUGGESTS IT MIGHT WE LOOK HEAVENWARDS AND SUGGESTS THAT IT WILL RAIN WHEN PIGS GET WINGS HA HA LESLEY PS YOU COULD SEND US A BUCKETFUL
Hey Sarah,
Keeping an eye on you from this side of the world! Excited to see the next step of the journey
Dave
I met you at explore and since that opening talk you gave us all I have been following your adventurous spirit through your blogs. Your super duper book continues to inspire on dark days, and I find myself in that similar place, feet on the desk, should be writing university coursework (at present) and yet enthralled in adventurous spirits like yours. Truly inspired and I have to say, I read the book straight after I met you at explore in November, 2012 was my don’t eat chocolate for a year and reading your book provided a great challenge to my willpower from your commentary on the good old mars bar discoveries!! Loved it! I hope happy socks is laden with even more chocolate stocks this time round!.
Looking forward to following your wonderful adventure.
With smiles and best wishes
Lynn