Testarossa Daily Message: Life on a 30* Angle / 18-19 May 2016//
"If You're Not Living Life on the Edge - You're Taking Up Too Much Space!" Ole Naval Aviator's Adage
As of 1551L hours on 19 May 2016, our position is: 34*07.048'N /
57*33.103'W. We are steaming 093* COG making 8.1 Kts SOG, middle of the
Atlantic, bound for the Azores. Are we there yet?
Quick Recap:
------------
Testarossa has made 339 total NM's since leaving Bermuda
Day 1 at sea: 150 NM's made
Day 2 at sea: 189 NM's made
Distance to go: 1457NM (Argh!)
------------
We have found the wind, and the wind has found us! So far, the wind has
been good to us. In the past 24 hours, we have had our best run yet
this voyage - 189 NM's made good. Winds remain at just over a steady
10Kts, with this morning’s breeze building to 14. Seas remain relatively
benign, with 3-4' waves, and little ground swell. Boat speed has been
kept up - averaging about 9-10 knots, with the most seen this morning at
approx 0600L of 11.9 Kts (when we had 14 knots of breeze). We remain in
a good relative position - North of our lay line, and are making a good
course on average paralleling the lay line as we ride the front edge of
a low pressure system. We continue to walk the tight rope between too
much to the North, and not enough to the South. One ARC vessel, S/V
White Chocolate (That name...kinda makes you hungry doesn't it? It's a
Swiss boat - so you gotta wonder what kinda watches they keep aboard..wink emoticon, is running in our proximate vicinity, keeping the pace just south to us, and abeam our stern quarter.
So what does all this mean to us? We are living life large and on the
edge. Make that a 30* tilt to port, which is good for some, not as good
for others. Let me expound on this for a minute: The galley is on the
port side - so good for cooking. The head - that's ship speak for
bathroom for all the landlubbers out there reading this - is on the
starboard (right side of the boat looking forward smile emoticon,
which is good for taking showers, but tough for brushing your teeth.
Also, you'd best hold onto the toilet seat - that goes for everyone!
Everything has a tendency to slide / roll to the left - if left
unattended or unanticipated. Doors left open seem to close rapidly and
on their own. When sleeping - everyone rolls to the port. Luckily, we
have our cabins rigged with "lay cloths" to prevent the would be drowsy
sailor from rolling off the lower side of their bunk. In some cases -
that could be too close for comfort!
But don't be mislead dear
reader - for life is indeed good living on "the edge" aboard Testarossa.
The thrill and exhilaration of the ship bounding forward, the salt
spray flying, the breeze on your face, the foamy waves pushed aside, the
sounds of the wake streaming past as we make our way thru the water.
Ahhhh sailing - this is what we wanted to do, and this is what we are
doing! Tis the life!
A couple of interesting spectacles we
observed yesterday: the first was a Man o' War floating by. Actually,
make that dozens and dozens of them! A whole field of them floating by
and by. I know there is a tourist out there on some future beach with
their name on one of them Man O' Wars. Careful folks - they sting! Also,
we have seen a lot of great sea birds, and a lot of jumping fish in the
distance. Really would have liked to have been fishing through that
feeding frenzy!
Dinner last night was the remains of our 2 Tuna's
- great to the last bite, and wild rice. A lot of good humor and great
conversation during dinner time included. Looks like we will have to
recommence fishing - hint hint!
The day pasted us by quickly,
seemingly keeping apace with the foamy waves scurrying quickly by. On
the night watch, Captain George and Diamond Dave had the first watch to
midnight, Babalou & Felipe, the closers - midnight to 0700. A near
full moon shown eerily through wind swept low clouds moving rapidly
past. The setting moon made for a dark night at the end, just before
sunrise, which eventually happened to grey skies all around. Freshening
breeze meant an increase in speed as the day broke. Ms. Lorrie came up
early to spell us, after getting the generator going, and flushing our
holding tank. BTW - you don't want to be drinking your coffee when that
occurs - just sayinnnnn! Re-rack for the night shift resulted in a
pleasant wake-up to the smells of pancakes and bacon!
Light-hearted day aboard with everyone doing their thing: Babalou
finished up the "Hunt for Red October;" Lorrie is still chopping away on
"The Religion;" David is reading "The Dove;" the Capitano got a good
work-out in in the cockpit; while Felipe was today's guest DJ. The
Soviet national anthem was played aboard in honor of Bob's completion of
the Hunt for Red October - great music, but lousy politics!
And that's the last 24 hours in a nutshell Folks....
Personal Messages from the Captain & Crew:
_________________________________________
Captain George - Good Bicep and back workout. We have settled in to a
good pace for the next 1400 miles. Missing you! Wink wink!!
Ms. Lorrie - Napping - Could not be reached for comment.
Babalou - Jean - Everything is going well - we are having a great sail! Miss you...and from the shower - loveee you!
Felipe - 4 CJ - Drive safe going home Baby! Thinking of you! xxx! ps -
How are your "projects" coming along? St. David - Napping - Could not be
reached for comment. NOOO, just woke up... BEX! hope you and Will are
well, do you really have a puppy?? Franny - you can send a message to
Stephany, check that email from Lorrie, there is a SVTestarossa email
address in there and she can forward it to us. Spent the day trying to
learn more about Celestial Navigation - its confusing! Dp xxx
_________________________________________
Song of the Day: Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, by Lavay Smith & Her Red-Hot Skillet Lickers
Okay thats all for today, we'll leave a light on for you tonight - a
running light...and will check back in Manana! In the meantime,
Cheers to All, and to All - The Best,
Testarossa Sends,
USA 143