With only 30 miles to sail we left at 07.15 only to find quite a few others were already sailing. We were surprised to find we were the only yacht to take the inshore route, everyone else opting for the ship channels. I found myself questioning my route but we had no problems and sailed 4 miles lest than the rest. Again the wind was up, this time we had a F8 37 knots of wind with rain and hail. The club organisers who have sailed here for 20 years have never seen a summer like it, normally they say it's to hot and not enough wind. The temperature is only 14/15 degrees. We are using our electric fan heater, one lady has an electric blanket. I have been out now coming up to 2 months, we have had mid summer but the weather is getting worse. The first week in May it was hot calm and sunny, the complete opposite to now.
Speaking with a Sailor from Helsinki, he said it will improve but I can't help thinking he meant to say he hoped it would improve. Our second day here the wind is still up but lovely sunshine. We had a guided tour of the town and castle ending up at the old railway station. We are now leaving everyone on the rally behind as there is a good forecast for tomorrow then a week of bad winds, with our forthcoming trip to Russia we need to get on up towards Tallin.