Xenial - Day 13 - Here we go again

This is it, this is the real deal! Today we set off to sail across the Atlantic.
One would think that after a whole week in Mindelo we would be ready for a calm departure, but there are always last minute preparations to take care of. The captain went up the mast, I went to stock up yogurt for his breakfasts, the rest of the crew filled up the tanks with the last water on our cards, we had a medical consultation with Monica and so on. Never a dull moment!
Finally we left our berth and set off for the start line. Everyone was very excited and there was a bit more wind than when we departed Las Palmas, so we had a lot of activity on board hoisting the main sail and then unfurling the foresail just at the right moment. The Captain seemed really happy about our performance on the start line, but then he was commenting in Swedish, so he could have been saying absolutely anything and I would not understand.
We did have some trickier winds throughout the afternoon, with dead moments, gusts picking up unexpectedly and the wind turning and turning around us. Our sailing and trimming committees were fully engaged and had plenty to discuss, especially since they were at times baffled by the wind turns. Code zero or no code zero? One reef on the main sail or no? How big of an issue is if it we arrive in Suriname rather than Grenada?
It seems like much of the fleet around us was having the same issues, and we hope all is well onboard the other boats - we broached but were by no means the only ones. The sea has also been coming at us from all sides, so making dinner below deck was no easy feat for our chef Janne, and the air is starting to become a bit stuffy as all the windows are closed.
We are glad to be on our way, but it was a long day and everyone is grateful for a bit of sleep. Maybe we should enforce napping shifts as well!

As I write this I am looking up at a clear sky dotted with stars. Unlike during our first leg, the moon is not here to keep us company so it is much darker around us. The wind has stabilized, which makes for a calmer watch, although the waves are still making it a bumpy ride. We are keeping a steady course towards Grenada, and I can see a lot of lights from other boats, so we are definitely on the right track.

Over and out,
Mavi



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