Sunday, 11 Dec 2011
Well it looks like this might be one of my final blogs. As we get closer to St Lucia we are having more contacts with other boats. This morning we came within 400 yards of “Arabella” who offered up quite a chat. A Welshman who braved the Atlantic this morning for an early dip in the water. Let it be said – “Wales, where men are men, and sharks get nervous”. I think even though I’d have loved an early morning swim – I’m afraid to try it.
The Green Flash – for a number of years I’ve been going to Key West Florida for one reason or another. One of the highlights of the trip is always walking down Duval Street towards the end of the day to see the legendary “Green Flash”. The crowds always gather – a carnival atmosphere – to look for the elusive “Green Flash” – well I’d like to report to everyone - you do not have to go to Key West to see it it’s been available right here for the past two nights on the way to St Lucia. All five of us (Tom, Guy, Bruce, Ben and Tarryn) were in the cockpit having our nightly Heineken with snacks watching an absolutely glorious sunset – when all of a sudden we see the “Green Flash”. It was a sight we will never forget and one that will stand out about our voyage.
Also yesterday afternoon while I was on watch - I was visited by a pod of Atlantic Bottle Nosed Dolphins (5 to be exact). It wasn’t as dramatic as a couple of days ago where 25 to 30 literally danced around “Glass Slipper”, but these five dolphins jumped around either side of the cockpit whistling at me. I was all alone and walked forward to the bow sprint and watched them put on a show doing figure 8’s under the bow. One of the larger ones zipped back to the stern then got up some speed and did 15’ to 18’ jumps along the side of the hull to my delight. I clapped my hands and whistled back to him and as if that was a cue for an encore he began again. They stayed for a while and then departed – I guess I should have given them a treat.
We are now about 12 hours away from St Lucia – our lives have all been enriched by each other tales and experiences. I desperately need a shave – Ben wants me to buy a 70’ Oyster and guess what – hire him to help me sail around the world – and if I’m not available wouldn’t I still get great pleasure knowing someone was taking my place and having an adventure of a lifetime.
Ciao