We were
looking forward to getting into lighter winds, perhaps even motoring. We would
wash clothing, take showers, and put up the gennaker. A welcome break from some
hard-core sailing.
No dice.
After a few hours of 15-knot winds and two-meter seas, it kicked up
to 25-35
knots and 3 meters again. But the sun has been shining all day long, so spirits
are high as we soar on at 7-9 knots, even with our reefed sails, careening down
the faces of the massive seas.
We have
passed the 1/3 mark in terms of distance (travelled over 600 of about 1800
total miles to our destination), and are closing in on the halfway mark.
Cooking and
washing up has been a challenge. Lunch, dinner and hot chocolate have all gone
flying and ended up on the galley floor. Skipper and crew have been drenched by
waves. But it’s all good fun.
Michelle made
a delicious vegetarian shepherd’s pie tonight. Undoubtedly this will become a
staple at pubs across the Western world. Just remember that we invented it.
Ximera’s pie.
Photo
caption: Ximera’s crew (sans skipper and first mate), from left to right, John,
Jonas, Simon, and Tatjana. Happy as peas in a pod.
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