Disa - Nothing... Nada... Zero... Zilch

Zero wind - Mother Nature’s sting in the tail at the end of our Atlantic crossing. Having sailed two thousand nautical miles, and with only two hundred to go, the ocean has turned as calm as a mill pond. There is not a breath of wind to fill our sails and we’re bobbing along on a glassy sea. Sailors of long ago would have had to ration their food and water and pray for wind. Fortunately for us, our 1988 Perkins engine is a real beauty! Thanks to Henri Amel’s foresight, our fuel tank holds eight hundred and twenty litres of diesel. If the wind doesn’t return, we can chug along all the way to Grenada. We’ll be taking our time - our engine is an old lady and if we treat her kindly she purrs her gratitude. With a bit of luck we’ll arrive just before the cut-off time tomorrow. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of food and water. Our freezer is stocked with fish that Darrol has caught and filleted en-route. Our water tank holds 1500 litres (yes, that’s right - one thousand five hundred litres!!) so we’re showering every day and we’ve even done the odd load of washing in the washing machine. Today I should finish knitting the baby blanket that I started on this trip, for one of two new grandchildren who will be arriving in the coming months.

Last night we saw the most exquisite sunset of our trip - every shade of purple, red, orange and yellow was reflected on the mirrored sea. We sat on deck in silence as the fire-tinged clouds set the sky alight. A gaggle of birds fell silent too as all of creation watched this great spectacle in awe. What an incredible privilege this, to take a big break from the fast pace and information overload of our normal lives. Having time to think and reflect has been very restorative. We’re looking forward to connecting with friends and family again, with renewed energy. Keep those rum punches on ice!