It's not quite the end of week two but the days are starting to run together so we thought it appropriate to start our report. First, this is very much a collective effort - everyone contributes. Second, as we head south long pants or jeans are now stowed away (out of Las Palmas we needed on night shifts). T-shirts & shorts are now the order of the day. In addition it's very humid, clothes never really dry, cabin is hot, damp and if it weren't for a tired group, sleeping would be impossible! We wouldn't be good POWs - a little sleep depravation and we would spill-the-beans!!
Day 7 or 8 ?? - we are now some 127 miles from NW edge of Cape Verde. Glenn digs out the skipper's fishin' pole, attaches a rusty hook and pink squid and promptly catches a 1.8 kg mahi-mahi. Guess what we are having for dinner! Karen sends an urgent email asking if we've seen Wayne. Wayne who??? Glenn, while at the helm, mistakenly yelled out some orders and immediately recognizes his error. He's relegated to galley duties - you can occasionally hear him muttering something to the effect ". . . but my brother does that!?" Cabbage soup for dinner - Wayne is somewhat guarded and non-responsive when asked for the recipe? We'll get it out of him - it's only a matter of time! (Fish dinner has been delayed for a day or, would you have noticed?)
Day 8 - We're heading west and early morning finds us beating into SW winds of 14 -15 knots. Those elusive trade winds . . . we have reached Cape Verde (while kind of) and decide to proceed on westerly course versus going any further south. A number of boats have started their motors and several are reporting that they will be dipping into Cape Verde to await better weather or take on additional fuel. As the day passes we put the first reef in the main, then the second reef, storm jib is put up and we reduce the size of head sail. Well. enough about that but it was noted that Warren keeps his toe appropriately elevated while at the helm. We change to three 2 man watches - Don & Glenn, Ray & Wayne, Sandy & Warren. Allows each group to get 4 hours of continuous MUCH NEEDED sleep. Now, if only we could rig up a dehumidifier! Fortunately, we have not had to deal with any major squalls.
Day 9 - it's 7:00 pm we have now been beating into big seas for ~48 hours and the skipper decides it time to go south - yahoo! He reports that intuition and many years of experience tell him that if we continued on our present course we could expect 5 more days of same (we think he must have had a report of some kind but who's arguing!). We remain in heavy seas until 6:00 AM. As you have noticed, not much to report during the day - either sailing or trying to sleep in hot cabin!
Day 10 - As mentioned above, winds ease by 6:00 AM and continue to lighten thru-out the day. By 4:00 pm they are down to 2-3 knots. Time for laundry, etc. Sandy & Warren go for a swim - ocean is very comfortable. Sandy & Warren also clean the fridge and we use this opportunity to restock it with beer. We immediately recognize that we are going to run out!!! Some members of the crew have reported that some are spending an inordinate amount of time in the head. Are they drinking beer in there?!? We are thinking of designing a sign-up sheet - every time someone opens the fridge they must make a check-mark and report what was removed. The 'time' has also changed which has caused no end of controversy. Now, you really have to pay attention - we're leaving the ship's clock on UTC (same as GMT) and each member of the crew shifts are to change to local time. You have no idea how a simple comment such as "let's start the 1st shift at 7" can cause several minutes of discussion (for lack of a better word)!!
Day 11 - Ray prepares breakfast - bubble & squeak - fantastic! Quite an idea! At 3:22 UTC or 2:22 local time or sometimes referred to a watch time (see the problem!?!) a crew member, whose name will not be revealed, but our cook spilled the 1st beer! A look of horror from all members lead to a moment of silence and there was a suggestion that the flag be lowered to half mast for balance of the day but no-one could agree if the balance of the day be based on UTC/GMT or local time. Weather grey and showery.
Today, Dec. 4, Warren sights a large turtle which right beside the boat. Apparently, he is on his own migratory route which will take him from Central America to Europe/Africa and back-what an amazing sight!
Light winds continue to be our curse. On the radio net each day, we hear that many boats are trying to adjust their travel plans as the fleet's time to St. Lucia is much longer than expected. Celebrations in Rodney Bay have been rescheduled to accommodate the late arrival. The crew on Hazel Fry has completed an inventory of our provisions in consideration of the longer voyage and now have a menu plan based mainly on rice and beans (just kidding!) - we are in good shape and still have apples, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, onion.
Last night just after sundown a sailboat approached us and came along side asking if we had any weather info. This vessel appeared to have only one person on board. He was bound for Martinique and was not part of the ARC rally.
We made bread yesterday, but the flour we purchased in Spain might have already had yeast included. We made two loaves, but had to cook one at a time as the dough kept expanding. At one point we thought the dough might take over the galley!
The crew has deemed that finally we are at the 1/2 way point in this journey. Ray and Glenn were able to purchase a fine bottle of Champagne which we will sample tonight as the setting sun dips majestically below the waters of the Central Atlantic.
Warren Wing, Crew - Hazel Fry