This period started with soft tradewinds. Sometimes we had no wind at all. We entertained each other by telling stories, tanning on the decks and bathing on the transom. While we enjoyed the most beautiful sunset, a large bird, an egret (hegre in Norwegian) suddenly rested on the radar antenna fitted in the mast. When lighting up the deck to control the sails, the large bird took off flying around and around the vessel until its place was dark again. Its feet were not long enough to reach the bottom out here… Tom recognized this bird from egrets he had seen at Vangsmjøsa years ago. Fun to philosophize about its long adventurous travel, maybe from Vangsmjøsa! We kept quiet to let it rest. Next morning it was gone. Let us hope it managed the journey to Africa.
We had not found stable tradewinds. Some tough sailing was ahead. We could read out of the clouds what was about to come. This was something for the adrenalin! To stand in the cockpit, riding the waves, enjoying this Oyster’s quality and ability to take tough weather, is fantastic! But we take no chances. Everyone have their lifeline attached to their harness when moving around outside. We change sails frequently. Good for the others that Lars Christian and Tore seem to love the foredeck. Up and down with the boom arranging for different uses of the cruising shute.
Then suddenly the disaster struck us. In a broach the cruising shute hit the anchor, flew up in the air and was split in two! All men on deck, organising the main sail and taking care of what was left of the cruising shute. A sad evening. No more colourful sailing for us this time. We continued to fly with the winds, but with the genoa instead.
A new day to awake us. Cereals was organised for breakfast. Tore screamed out. He stood up, paralyzed, “Look, a whale!” And there it was a huge whale. It seemed to play alone. Performing. A great sight.
Wednesday 3. December: Astahaya is midway: 1435 nm sailed. We celebrated, but skipped the champagne because of tough weather. Åge and Lars Christian surprised with a nice gift, a fun t-shirt with a specially designed motive commemorating half way with Astahaya on the ARC 2008!
All the way Tore had promised to shave when he came half way. Next started this ceremony. The shaving should be executed on deck from a cold bucket of water. Lars Christian, Åge and Jon followed up, so now Astahaya has 6 sailors on board, looking younger and more handsome than ever! To complete the whole story, Christian and Tom regularly shave.
Right now Jon is preparing today’s dinner: pork rib steak. The flavour fills the whole boat. The weather is good. The rain has left us and the sunset is again fabulous. We have come a good way to St Lucia and believe we have now found the good and easy tradewinds. But only time will show…….
Have a nice evening
Wherever you are
On behalf of all on board
Tom