Prins Christian Sund - Storm

Maryam is currently tied up very uneasily to an almost completely ruined jetty at the weather/communication station at the eastern entrance to PCS. We arrived PCS from Tasiilaq Friday morning just ahead of a big storm. The harbor here was totally unsuitable for riding out the storm. However, as we knew, PCS has many fine anchorages. We just spent 2 very comfortable nights at one on the north side of the eastern entrance. The winds outside were 50 knots with 10 meter waves. At our anchorage winds were 25¨to 35 knots but, as we were anchored right up next to the head, no waves. Good holding, a splendid anchorage.

The passage from Tasillaq here was fine with a lot of excellent downwind sailing in 25 knot winds. With the south flowing current we made good time, which we needed to do to beat the storm we knew was coming.

After 2 days of very rough weather, today is gorgeous -- one of the nicest all year so I'm told -- only the sixth sunny day this summer.

Passage through PCS should be spectacular.

The station here is not primarily a weather station as it was billed in the literature. Weather data collection is completely automated and controlled from Denmark. The 5 people here are Danish contractors who keep the communications equipment operable. This is one of the major communications points for the 200 flights a day between Europe & North America.

The people here are extremely hospitable and have let us use their internet connection. Hence my ability to send this email. I was also able to download a weather GRIB file, which indicates we should have a nice, easy 700 mile passage to the Straight of Belle Isle at the northern point of Newfoundland. We will leave Monday night or Tuesday morning. It should take about 5 days.

We are running a little short on water, and the water they have at the jetty is not potable, as was the case in Tasiilaq. Fortunately, there is a waterfall nearby where the water falls into the sea. We should be able to drive under it and fill up. We also should be able to go right up to a glacier face.

I hope I have better luck sending this email. Keep up the news from home.

Bev