We are now about 600 nautical miles from our destination and the boat and
crew are in good shape. Speeds are typically 6-8 knots – all downhill
sailing. We did a good rig check this morning and Abraxas is doing us all
proud.
The trade winds are now in full swing and the ocean is delivering a
fantastic landscape of large waves and swell which have spiced things up a
little bit for the crew.
The beautiful blue waves line up/ tower up behind the boat casting a
shadow over the helmsman before they pass, only to be replaced by another, like
a relentless marching army. The rhythm of the waves seems to dictate the
rhythm of the crew. Simple tasks like pouring tea, buttering toast and
even using the bathroom (even typing this blog!) are all done to this drum
beat.
Sunrise, sunset, moonset, the procession of the stars from east to west are
also constant rhythms by which we can manage our day and our watch systems by
and it has been fantastic to get back to being this close to nature dominating
the timing of our daily routines.
The ocean always has the last say however, within this rhythm it like to
keep us all sharp with the occasional side wave that wipes everybody off of
their feet or broaches the boat or squall, just to remind us to treat it with
respect.
We have struggled on the fishing front the last few days as our best lure
(the pink squid) has finally given up. We have made a replacement out of
the finger of a washing up glove but it has not yet proved successful. The
only fish that has been on board in the last few days was a flying fish that
boarded during a night squall and hit Paul in the back. Too small to eat
we sent him back (albeit stunned) to the ocean.
stay safe everybody,
Paul and the ABRAXAS team