A guest contributor today as the others are all playing Scrawl. I have just finished a very long novel - The Luminaries - and needed quiet.!
We passed another milestone today and now have less than 1000 miles to go, marked by a very modest celebration at lunch today as we stuck to our self-imposed ordinance of abstinence. So a few thoughts so far, as one who never really hankered after crossing the Atlantic and for whom the idea certainly needed to grow.
The sailing has been relatively easy so far and will need to be heavily embellished before I get home…. But in truth, wind against tide in the Channel or at the Needles is far worse than the swell seen to date; navigating the rocky coast of Brittany and 14 metres tides more challenging; and the risk of not making the restaurant at Cherbourg more worrying - especially as we are loaded with provisions and have already caught two sizeable fish. The squalls we have hit today were mild compared to a vicious one I hit last summer outside Portsmouth harbour - but of course there is still plenty of time….
We have been surprised by the lack of sea life - a few dolphins at the start; some flying fish of course and some unidentifiable deep sea birds.
In preparing myself for the inevitable questions back home from my friends, I have asked myself would I do it again? Probably not, but for all the right reasons.
First, the cat we are on is so suited to down wind sailing, I am already spoilt ( I sail a modest Bavaria 37.) I can only salute those of you doing the ARC in a fin keeler .
Second, the catering is of the highest order. Put together a super yacht chef; a fitness instructor; a determined healthy eater and excellent cook and our lunches are marvellous. I came prepared ( as requested by Whiplash Nina, our skipper - or captain as she likes to be addressed ) to cook three main meals. The first was politely accepted and indeed praised. Mysteriously, my services have not been further required.
More seriously, it is simply so enjoyable to sail with such experienced comrades. A rum punch will, I am sure, secure Rod re-telling surviving the 1987 Hurricane in a GK 24 foot wooden yacht; Freyja has six Atlantic crossings under her belt and 8 years in the super yacht industry; Nina has sailed extensively in the UK and abroad and Lucy, with the benefit of youth and a quick mind is rushing up the ratings fast.
Of course, three skippers above me has its challenges and sail change discussions can get protracted.
So another day turns dark and the monsters will appear as usual on my 00.00 - 02.00 watch.
Happy sailing and love to friends at home
Bimble.
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