Thursday 6th December – Paula Rosa
The green glow or flash– in case you are wondering if the salt is really getting to me or the lack of alcohol is having delirious effects…a phenomenon that is apparently disbelieved by some although I’m sure not by the scientists! David and I have seen the green glow a few times now in the Caribbean first and most recently spectacularly on our epic trip to Antarctica. I think the horizon has to be perfectly clear and something to do with light rays being bent, not sure where the green comes from?
Anyway last night we were not really expecting to see it so it was such a treat when it appeared, bright green for just a few seconds before it sank down into the sea – more magic!
As the first early watch of the night started it was super starry and fairly quiet, ours was at 11pm and the wind had picked up blowing 18-20 knots with a few accelerated gusts under the clouds. All went well, tea and treats and discussions about “rogue waves “ as you do, spinning along! Sergio appeared with Wills getting ready to take over the next watch, when the wind picked up to 23knots and a larger wave picked up the stern and the bows swung up into the wind, Auto Al was a bit overwhelmed (he still gets surprised by especially big waves but has got less temperamental and usually deals well with it although we have had a few hairy moments with him!) Anyway to cut a long story short, there was a huge amount of flapping and to our dismay when we got the torch up on the asymmetric she was gaily winding herself around the forestay!! This is a major problem as it is difficult and sometimes impossible to unwrap it and if wrapped it cannot be lowered.
By now there were 5 of us, trying to persuade her to unravel to no avail. David suggested trying to furl the jib a bit more. The jib, when not in use, is rolled up around the forestay and the spinnaker had wrapped around this. Fortunately furling the jib unwound the asymmetric and we had a kite flying again. With over 20 knots still blowing we now needed to quickly ease the sheets and depower her but unfortunately the perfect time to get a riding turn on the winch (this is when the rope around the winch gets tightly caught under other turns of sheets (or rope) and becomes completely jammed– what you might say a big pickle!!) fortunately we were able to take the pressure off by using the lazy sheet (the rope that is not active) and thereby prevent the next inevitable occurrence of a ‘brooch ‘ (this is not something that is worn but when a boat is overpowered with sail and pulled over sideways in a frightening and dramatic way) - phew …never a dull moment!!! Despite heading off to bed when everything was more settled, it was difficult to unwind from the last 30minutes of frenetic activity, sleep did not come easily, every crash and slam and acceleration of the boat more pronounced than normal - waiting for something else to happen!
Fortunately the daylight arrived, overcast and after an initial squall the wind dropped right down. Many ideas were voiced on how to improve our speed and direction and a gybe was decided upon. Ahead of us was an angry dark cloud, low in the sky and full of rain and wind which was thought to be heading downwind and we would avoid it. The gybe was executed although there was some disagreement in the ranks regarding the position of the above described squall! Frank discussion is sometimes good on a trip like this, sometimes an opportunity to clear the air!!! The squall was avoided and we sail gently on.
Wills spotted another whale on the port side, pretty close to Paula Rosa. We read yesterday that Southern wind (a non ARC boat) had rudder damage and was taking on some water – they thought they had struck a whale, difficult and frightening for them, they put out a Pan Pan (urgent message but not life threatening), 2 ARC boats were on standby for them. Hoping they have been able to repair damages and keep on sailing? Poor whale, I hope he is not too damaged? The sailors are lucky, significant damage can be done by whales and there have been some amazing survival stories of sailors survival in life rafts, fighting against all odds to battle thirst hunger and the elements – having undertaken a sea survival course where we had to clamber into a life raft in a swimming pool, a life raft is the very last option you would want to explore!
Quiet afternoon, little wind which was not forecast. Sailing slowly, sails collapsing, wind direction changing, rain squalls, all very frustrating.
Even the sunset was slightly disappointing, hope for a better day tomorrow.
Keep on tracking … probably not moving far!!
Dee x