After 2 rolling days we had a respite yesterday about 5pm — a gentle sail with little rolling so we had a proper cocktail hour.
After dinner Peter noticed clouds that showed the classic warm area rising and the cold dropping. Peter suggested we take in the main down just in case.
Then 10 mins before we were hit, and I do mean hit, we furled the jib. The sky opposite had that infinite ominous grey/black look where you think you’re looking into abyss.
Then enormous driving rain, huge waves and winds of 30-40 knots with a top of 50.6 
One solar panel came off so we tied it down-it was hanging now by a single cable and seemed to want to do damage to something or someone. We took turns steering but into a north wind now. It was exhausting. Near midnight the sirrus weather showed what looked like a 2nd go. Peter suggested drifting south which we did. Finally about 3 or 4am we reset to our original course.
There was no warning of this in the marine reports! 
Marine forecasts are stupid.
We arrived at St Simon’s Marina about 4:30 and welcomed a good shower.