36o 47.2 North 30o 11.8 West
Total disasters in the galley: 2 (so far) {today}
We are now on the final big push for the Azores and currently have an ETA of Friday evening. Wind speed is 28 knots, gusting to 35 knots off the starboard beam and we are making some serious headway. Seas are, apparently, still moderate although I think the photo today may bring that characterisation into question. The rigging is humming, the wind screeching and the waves are streaked with white foam.
We have the headsail out but partly furled and the mizzen has a single reef in. The mainsail was dropped last night as the wind got up (which was interesting!) yet we are still pulling 8 knots plus. The lee rail is periodically getting very wet and, having struggled to climb the rope ladder the other day; I can tell you that Jem has a pretty big free board. After a couple of quiet-ish days, this is exciting! This may sound slightly ridiculous but the sun is still shinning. We can even get some last minute power tanning in as we get thrown around the deck. (Note #1: While these paragraphs sound like they were written by an old sailor, it was actually Jimmy Jazz who has gotten so sorted and so salty).
Having redeemed himself in the catering department with delicious flapjacks, Jim made a schoolboy error yesterday in the galley and went straight to the bottom of the class. In the interests of boat moral the less said about that the better
.and as soon as he is unlashed from the mast he is sure to see the funny side as well. (Note #2: the seas are rough and the boat is bouncing around a good deal Jim thought he would just melt a plastic bowl onto the cooker so that it wouldnt move around so much).
Mark, who prides himself on his ability to function normally in the most adverse conditions, heroically offered to make lunch. The sarnies were not bad but had the distinct flavour of cabin floor about them. I am not sure about his timing but it seems he also wanted to clean out the fridge. At least that was my guess after he opened the door (without looking out of the window first) and the entire contents ejected themselves into the galley to mingle with the coleslaw that was already covering the floor.
Thus, life continues on Jem. We continue to make progress and the Azores are getting closer and closer. Tonight could possibly be our last night at sea. It is hard to believe that we have been out in the Atlantic for 11 days now and that our well worn routine will wind down. We are headed for Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, one of 9 islands, spread over 300 miles, part of Portugal but 900 miles from Lisbon. They are volcanic in origin having erupted from beneath the Atlantic Ocean up to 5 million years ago. The Azoreans have been big immigrants over the years and many of you might know their communities in New England, Canada, the Bay Area or even Hawaii! Gosh how interesting zzzzzzzzzzz. (Note #3 guess whos forgone the language tapes and picked up the guidebook?)
More tomorrow |
