Day 14: Around midnight
We are on the move again and it feels so good. We started to get some
wind around midnight and have been consistently sailing since. Having been
becalmed for so long it’s hard to trust the fact that we have wind. We
keep checking and rechecking the ARC weather forecast, and Maddys forecast, in
the hope that the wind will stay with us. We are also hoping for the
slight change in direction that is forecast to take us gently south. The
wind is teasing us about this and we keep getting glimmers that a change is on
it’s way but so far nothing consistent.
Looking at the fleet report we appear to be one of the most northerly boats
at the moment. Dave assures me that this is ok and that our sailing is
following a great circle. I just want to get to Saint Lucia, see friends
and catch up on all of their stories. Oh and the thought of a rum punch or
two is attractive.
Around four o’clock each afternoon as the sun is low in the sky bathing us
all in it soft rosy light we have a tot of rum on deck. Its served in true
Caribbean style with lime and brown sugar. It has been prescribed by our
ships medical officer and we are assured that the lime it contains will help
ward off scurvy!
This hour or so together on deck has become one of the focuses of the day
where we share puzzles, politics and puns. Ewen is still pondering (and
stressed) over Dobble, and how each card can match with each other and trying to
work out a mathematical formula for this. Cal is adept at working out
Ewens conundrums and Dave has resurrected his rope
tricks.
Its now around midnight. My watch is drawing to a close and I am
about to head off to bed. Today has been a good
day.