Xenial - Day 25 - Nearly there

Another day at sea, and likely the last one before we arrive in Grenada. We have kept Xenial Standard Time on Cape Verde time, so sunrise was sometime around 9am. We do it because we really enjoy having dinner with the sun setting in front of us on the horizon. They do say that this is a trip where you keep sailing into the sunset, and we really wanted to savor it. The winds were steady today just around 10 m/s, which is where we draw the line for the gennaker, so we sailed all day with the mainsail only. Our bimini has started to wear in a few spots so we haven't been using it, and let me tell you, the past few days on deck have been hot! Bobo (recently christened Sunnyboy) , CJ and Ulrik brave the sun, but I am fully on team "below deck" with the Major and the Chef. And below deck we where when we head the Captain calling for the Fishing Committee! CJ had caught another dorado, and for the second time, it was while the Fishing Committee was napping out of sight. It was smaller than our first, but still brought some excitement to our day - and Ulrik and Gustaf took lessons from Janne on how to clean and filet the fish.

We had a feast for our last dinner on the crossing!
Ceviche, with lime and estragon.
Boat made focaccia, which Janne had baked in the afternoon.
Tomato and onion salad which has been our only fresh fruit&veg for a while (to the Major's and my delight! We are the tomato lovers and continue to agree that there is no such thing as too many tomatoes).
Fish cooked in lemongrass coconut and ginger sauce, with rice.
And for something sweet, I baked chocolate chip cookies as well.

As it's our last day at sea, and at time of writing we have 40 miles to go, we started reflecting on our long journey together. Here is what the crew had to say.

The Major - Gustaf
Favorite thing: Enjoyed spending time in a small space with 6 people and we all have a sense of humor that meshes and everyone was always smiling and never complaining
Worse thing: When we realized we were "out of the race", it was a disappointment and we lost some of our drive
First drink in harbour: A bucket of mojito
Would you do this again? He will ponder a while longer and get back to us with an answer

Sunnyboy - Bobo
Favorite thing: Being at sea sailing for two weeks with a good crew
Worse thing: When the jib ripped
First drink in harbour: Caipirinha
Would you do this again? If possible, absolutely yes

The Captain - Ulrik
Favorite thing: It's been a wonderful experience bringing the boat all the way from Sweden, and with so many different crews of friends and family. Not a dream he has had for a long time, but it's a dream come true to bring the boat to the West Indies
Worse thing: We didn't take enough good care of the rigging
First drink in harbour: Whatever we can celebrate with
Would you do this again? Certainly

The Chef - Janne
Favorite thing: All our laughs, and storytelling, and the matureness of the crew in taking orders
Worse thing: The impossibility to stand still for 3 weeks
First drink in harbour: Oboy
Would you do this again? No

CJ
Favorite thing: Being out at sea, hoisting sails, always having a project
Worse thing: Losing sails and halyards and just cruising along
First drink in harbour: Gin&Tonic or cold beer
Would you do this again? Absolutely

Mavi
Favorite thing: Feeling welcomed, included and taken care of by this group of Swedish friends. Basically they have adopted me
Worse thing: Being seasick
First drink in harbour: Gin&Tonic (the first in a long time)
Would you do this again? Yes, on a plane

Someone actually confessed to much more "real" and less philosophical worse and best moments. The worse was when they had stomach issues and no control over their bowel movements and their best was when they had regained control of the same (otherwise expressed as "my first s***").

We were surprised as how tidy we managed to keep the boat - the 4 more seniors ascribed this to good training by their wives and having gone through military service.

A happy moment for many of us: When we got rid of all the unnecessary noises at night on the boat. Sleep was important for all of us. However sitting at night on the deck during watch, under two different skies, one dominated by the moon, and the other dotted with all the stars of the Milky Way, is a memory that each of us will cherish fondly.

Which brings us to now, as we sail peacefully through the night towards Grenada. Our ETA is about 2am tomorrow morning.

Over and out,
Mavi


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