Wednesday 9 June 2010 Douglas, Isle of Man N540 08.727’ W0040 28.098’

The weather forecast for today and the next few days is not ideal. Force 6 with heavy rain. Chris and Alan seem very happy to stay snug in the inner harbour rather than venture out. Going into Peel is almost certainly not possible with strong onshore winds.

The original plan was to be change crew in Port St Mary on Saturday 12 June, so we are still marginally ahead of programme. Because of the crew change commitments, we could not leave the Isle of Man before Saturday or Sunday. At the end of this week we will have been sailing for 4 weeks, 33% of the time, and will have covered some 40% of the mileage. So far so good, but with much of the best bits to come. We have cleared the West Country, familiar cruising ground for Alcyone. Wales with its strange marina systems and lack of sheltered accessible harbours has been passed. Next it is Scotland, the Clyde and then Western Isles before the Caledonian Canal.

Yesterday and today the weather has been strong winds and, at times, heavy rain. Even in the inner harbour we are surging around in the marina style berth; heavy gusts of wind noticeable roll Alcyone. Several other crews are sheltering here waiting for more favourable winds to sail to Scotland. The cockpit tent – conseravtory – has been excellent in the bad weather.