This
is likely to be our last night out in the Atlantic as we have 84 nm to run to
Rodney Bay and the finish line. Last night was spectacular with the very best of
horizon to horizon stars, many shooting stars and perhaps a meteorite shower to
boot according to our onboard stargazers.
Our
planning to arrive at sunrise is still on course helped by a day of very light
winds which resulted in running the engine for propulsion what a shame as to
date over the past three weeks it had only been used for 2 hours 55 minutes!!
Anyway to ensure we don't arrive early we stopped for a swim which was like
swimming in a warm bath, checked out the goose barnacle growing on the stern
part only of the hull, we now have a decision to make, scrape them off or leave
them to grow on for a nice snack, followed by a refreshing fresh water solar
shower on the aft deck, we also had a pleasant chat over the VHF radio with Blue
Ocean a Lagoon Catamaran as they motored past some 500 metres off our port side.
It would not have been possible to arrive today in any case as the washing was
still hanging out on the guard rails drying, we had water to make to ensure we
arrive with full water tanks as they charge for this in the marinas, Richard
still has unfinished business with a marlin (he tells us) but no worries I am
rustling up a special final dinner at sea for the crew Garlic, onions, cabbage
but it is a bit dodgy so going for eggs instead, sweet corn but Richard has
opted out of these and the star of the show Fray Bentos Pies, yes not one but
two, we feel that a can of beer would not be out of order to wash it
down.
It is
also likely to be the last day of "pole dancing" this is unlike anything
you will have seen, I am the audience at the helm trying to keep ANIKA steady
whilst Simon hugs the mast, the up haul and down haul and Richard leans out
over the guardrail staring down into the deep blue sea before catching
the spinnaker pole as it is dropped nae lowered gently into his waiting arms, as
soon as he has hold of it he then proceeds to wrap his arms firmly around it as
both Richard and the pole gyrate up and down the deck keeping in step with the
rise and fall and rolling deck.
All in
all it has been a pleasantly relaxed day made all the more enjoyable by the fact
we have not been racing merely enjoying the experience and believe it or not
only finished Pips brandy laden fruit cake this afternoon, we would have
finished it earlier but Simon would not let us!
During
our passage Simon has been diligently putting in many hours working on sextant
sights which have produced a remarkably accurate reproduction of the course
shown up on our chartplotter enough to have been able to rely on it - very well
done Simon.
It
will be interesting to talk to the other yachts about their experiences and why
they took various decisions, how they managed watches, water, food, breakages
and so on.
Any
way that is for tomorrow, for now we enjoy the moments we have left alone on the
ocean.
David