5...4...3...2...1 we are In perfect position to clear the yellow,
gigantic blow up mark as an armada of yachts on our left block our planned
start, they are aligned and racing for the second bobbing marker. To stay on our
course would be the equivalent of crossing the M-5 at rush hour, so our
unplanned gybe put us on course with the fleet headed toward the line.
Maneuvering 34 tons of boat in a seaway full of similar beasts rushing around as
though they were a bunch of nursery school kids on the playground is a bit of
fun and something never to be forgotten.
We are the first Discovery 57 to cross a line, she is our first boat and
this is also our first time.
After the start, the fleet spread out and the squall we were
watching
hit us with 30 kt winds. We barely felt it. Though someone didn’t
play nice with the weather gods, it made for an exciting start.
As the winds swirled we made 4 sail changes in the first hour;
but, still we are caught in the dead zone and eventually,
becalmed.
There goes one of our goals: No engine hours.
Our son Ross has decided to put all this on GoPro.
We may want to request a tiny bit of editing.
Since then we are skirting the dead zones, finding pockets of wind
and following our course along a modified Cape Verdes route.
Last night just as the water maker cut out, the sea gods blessed up with
dead calm, both sea and wind. The boat came to a stop, while Richard
sorted out the problem. Just as we were back on line with all the
mechanical, the rain stopped and the winds resumed. We were sailing to
windward, with a lovely motion. Ross made gourmet tomato, onion, mushroom, and
olive oil sauce for the pasta, and everyone had a really good sleep.
Today we are still sailing to windward and our motion is so steady we feel
as though we are moored in the marina with ever so slight of a heal and the
sound of the waves.
Ross is teaching himself to be a fisherman, but no luck yet.
Our fruit consumption is at an all time high, and our frozen English bacon
is still delicious. Robert made our first loaf of bread in the new
Spanish bread maker- a very successful effort. Richard had
bolted down the ice maker and it remains firmly in place. We are
settled.