can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Jo - 15:40:95N 55:10:88W



Tuesday 9th December 2014

Many thanks to Rally Control for identification of our mystery fish, described as “some type of Jack, possibly amberjack?” Apparently, Thula also reported a similar fish on Sunday. We are now 350nm from our destination and sea weed has made it impossible to trawl any longer. We made the rash decision last night to eat the semi-defrosted chicken on the basis that two fish were insufficient for four hungry sailors and as we had another 24 hours to catch another two, we should wait. 24 hours later it looks like the two fine specimens will end their lives as humble fish cakes! As an aside, Ian reported our first sighting of a sunfish this morning.

The recycle elves have been hard at work again in the cockpit sorting and sifting; essential hygiene in this stultifying heat. It also means efficient use of the external lockers to store the refuse; you would not want it below decks in these temperatures 

Last night was not quite a full moon but maybe it was the associated rain shower that had George dancing barefoot in the midnight rain; it was a particularly good Rioja last night!

Yesterday was maddening. Until yesterday we’ve made good progress every day, however, it is galling to be so close and yet so far. Although we were within 400nm of our destination last night (another Snicker celebration moment), bobbing around at 3-4 knots, the ocean feels very large again. The consolation prize was the most perfect evening I have spent at sea. Once the sun set, without a moon it was the darkest, inky black evening we’ve had. So much so that the sea and sky were indistinguishable; up was down and down was up as phosphorescence swapped places with stars. Without light pollution the Milky Way was a dense cluster of galaxies, which were so distinct you could almost reach out and touch them. The only noises were the impatient flap and slap of sails denied their purpose whilst the hull imperiously wanting nothing to do with the sails, slipped serenely through silky seas which sighed, soothed by the balmy breeze.


Previous | Next