Voyageur - Day 6 - 10th May
Rolling
along
The thrill of sailing downwind on the ocean, long
forgotten, returned last night, that lovely sensation of going down following
seas. We knew the forecast was for the wind to veer to the south east, then
south west. Having previously prepared our poles with all the lines in
anticipation for poling out, we knew it was just a matter of time before we
would deploy it. Voyageur began to roll a little in building seas swinging those
hips of hers as ladies do when they are in the rhythm of the dance. I had a very
busy watch, not for me the luxury of star gazing or reading by the light of the
torch. Sitting at the helm position, I was constantly having to reef and unreef
the sails, as gusts swept over us.
Finally with the wind coming more on the stern quarter I put the main
away altogether. It was even colder tonight. I sat huddled in the cockpit
wrapped in blankets, my feet tucked into cosy fleece slippers. At this rate it
will not be long before the front door goes up. How on earth will we cope at 56
degrees north! We waited until first light, 5am, before going out on the
pitching deck to swing out the pole to port. Now we could take twenty precious
degrees off our course direct to Bermuda. But last night it was not a good night
for me as I hardly slept, no more than a couple of hours at most. Consequently I
am feeling sick from fatigue and the rolling motion of the boat. I have to write
down below as the bright sunlight in the cockpit makes it impossible for me to
read the computer screen. On the plus side we are still sailing, the sun is
shining, the sea is sparkling, and David made the lunch, cheese and tomato
toasties. Oh, and we are now just one day away from Bermuda. Our mileages have
been disappointingly low this trip. Four monotonous days motoring, two of near
perfect sailing conditions. But it has been the perfect “shake down” cruise for
us and Voyageur. The first rally boats are arriving today, A Lady, Asteroid,
Emilija and Ninfea due in sometime tonight. We are already picking up Radio
Bermuda on our VHF from a distance of 165nm. Amazing!
Susan
Mackay
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