Destiny - Log Day 13; A Different Perspective
1201 GMT, Friday Dec 2, 2011
15 42 N, 46 41 W
Distance sailed from Gran Canaria: 2150nm
Rhumb line distance to go: 830nm
Dear Family and Friends,
We are having a mind boggling, incredible sailing experience. We have been either on a beam reach or downwind for over 2200 miles. The last couple of days have been a sailor's dream!!!
For me (Skip) the boat has become an exercise in daily activities far different than life ashore. For example, when I go from the galley to my bunk it usually requires 3-4 times the number of steps to get there. On the boat I take 2 steps forward, 3 steps to the left, 2 to the right, and sometimes 1 backward. Good for daily exercise but not good for efficiency. I usually start 5 minutes earlier than I would if I were on land.
When on watch at night the 3.5' steering wheel with its 6 spokes can create a very mind numbing affect on me. The steering is usually set to auto pilot which allows the computer to be making constant adjustments to the wheel moving it back and forth in short jerky motions. Since all the instruments (radar, AIS, wind direction, speed of boat and wind etc.)are located on the panel behind this moving wheel, viewing the lighted panel makes for a blurring visual effect after 2 hours on watch. Plus waking up at 12:00 a.m. , 2:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m. doesn't help. When you need to alter course because of another ship, squalls, wind changes, or other boat traffic, you must push the buttons on the GPS (located behind the wheel) to alter course. Since you need to reach between the twirling wheel your fingers and hands are at risk. A finger and/or hand guillotine!
Cooking is always a NEW experience. Lynley does most of our cooking,(and does a great job), but every once in a while one of us will lend a hand, of which I did yesterday morning in preparing American pancakes. I put a little extra baking soda in the formula which resulted in some pretty hefty pancakes. It gave them the height of a slice of bread. They were nice, airy and filling. Matt and Nelson had 3 of these sandwiches, allowing them to skip lunch.
The difference between this and cooking on land is the fact that the boat is moving up and down and sideways 8-11 knots under 25 - 35 mph winds, in 8-12' swells, while the pan on the stove is cooking the pancakes. Thank goodness for gimbaled stoves!
I also got a bonus treat yesterday of a free salt water bath. The hatch over the stove was open and the waves paid me a visit by dumping a gallon of salt water over me and the stove.
YES LIFE ON A SAILBOAT IS DIFFERENT THAN ON LAND!
Love to Sweet Pea and my family………
and regards to all friends and family,
Skip (Graeme, Nelson, Lynley, Matt, Jim)
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