Excuse me for sounding a little excited but sailing isn’t always like today. Right now we are flying along at 11-12knots in beautifully calm seas and the sun is shining. Shit I hope I haven’t jinxed us! But wow it’s magnificent out here. Let’s hope the weather and sea hold.
But honestly in the world of blue water ocean sailing a completely non memorable day is just the kind of day you want. And our first 3 were all too memorable with lots of issues. Thank goodness the next 2 have been better and even if today is ridiculously memorable it’s because of sublime sailing. Even the weather is warming fast but only during the days. The nights are still freezing. Who honestly knew it would be freezing on the equator. I certainly didn’t.
I’m also fully rested because the night before last we had absolutely no wind from midnight to morning so we motored and I was able to get a full 6 hours sleep in cabin. Actually the first time I’ve been down there since we left as I normally sleep on the flybridge to be available while others are on watch. But less about me and more about the family.
Delphine and Arabella continue to dazzle in the kitchen. Indian chicken curry with garlic naan would make Uncle proud, Arabella’s banoffee pie could match Thelma’s and then there’s the sushi and poke bowl made from yesterday’s Mahi Mahi we caught. Not to mention all the cookies, cake, smoothies and snacks. I cannot emphasise enough that the food is best during passages and I’m showing it daily.
The kids are in good spirit and do not suffer from seasick. Delphine teaches the girls chinese since they can’t have chinese class with their tutor during passage. They are also doing math. Alex continues to devour books in between learning to play the piano and ukulele. Arabella is also making a fist of the piano. Azania is constantly a bundle of joy and definitely got daddy’s talking genes because she doesn’t stop. Her favorite books these days are Elephant and Piggie series. In general, the girls all spend a bit too much time on iPads, but they are doing great and all is well. Not easy to be sailing non-stop for three weeks without going onshore or seeing their friends.
Big Alex is down to his last 10 cigarettes which brings a close to smoking on Arabella but I’m sure he is stressing. He remains the most invaluable crew always doing more than his fair share. And always the voice of reason when Simon (Dragonfly) and I get too boisterous and push too hard.
Right now we are flying our main with one reef and the Gennikar spinnaker sailing due west about 1.5 degrees north of the equator. Tonight we would have done 1000nm (about 1/3rd) since we left and are way ahead of schedule. Almost 190 nm per day and today we hope to break our all time most miles in a day. Life is good. Love to all. And touch wood I’ve not jinxed us. (-: