Tuesday 9th December 2014
Many thanks to Rally Control for identification of our
mystery fish, described as “some type of Jack, possibly amberjack?” Apparently,
Thula also reported a similar fish on Sunday. We are now 350nm from our
destination and sea weed has made it impossible to trawl any longer. We made the
rash decision last night to eat the semi-defrosted chicken on the basis that two
fish were insufficient for four hungry sailors and as we had another 24 hours to
catch another two, we should wait. 24 hours later it looks like the two fine
specimens will end their lives as humble fish cakes! As an aside, Ian reported
our first sighting of a sunfish this morning.
The recycle elves have been hard at work again in the
cockpit sorting and sifting; essential hygiene in this stultifying heat. It also
means efficient use of the external lockers to store the refuse; you would not
want it below decks in these temperatures
Last night was not quite a full moon but maybe it was
the associated rain shower that had George dancing barefoot in the midnight
rain; it was a particularly good Rioja last night!
Yesterday was maddening. Until yesterday we’ve made good
progress every day, however, it is galling to be so close and yet so far.
Although we were within 400nm of our destination last night (another Snicker
celebration moment), bobbing around at 3-4 knots, the ocean feels very large
again. The consolation prize was the most perfect evening I have spent at sea.
Once the sun set, without a moon it was the darkest, inky black evening we’ve
had. So much so that the sea and sky were indistinguishable; up was down and
down was up as phosphorescence swapped places with stars. Without light
pollution the Milky Way was a dense cluster of galaxies, which were so distinct
you could almost reach out and touch them. The only noises were the impatient
flap and slap of sails denied their purpose whilst the hull imperiously wanting
nothing to do with the sails, slipped serenely through silky seas which sighed,
soothed by the balmy breeze.