A great start to the ARC crossing. Boats all streaming out of the marina,
sun shining, crowds cheering and waving, the band playing. We could not have had
better weather. Warm and sunny with a light northerly breeze and a flat sea. All
added to the excitement and gaiety of the occasion. Crews were standing on deck
photographing and videoing the event and calling out to each other.
After a not good nights sleep, too excited, we eventually got up to finish
preparing the boat. It still looked like we would not find a place for
everything and we would never get away but eventually we slipped our lines and
motored off the pontoon to join the queue to leave the marina. Last minute
Facetimes to our girls and said our goodbyes to new friends, “see you on the
other side” and felt quite emotional as we prepared to leave. Final stowing of
the fenders, not needed for another 2,600 miles, and Tulla Mhor was ready for
the open sea.
We did not have a racing start but eventually crossed the line and are off
on our trans ocean adventure.
Many of the boats had hoisted their colourful spinnakers and we eventually
hoisted our bright pink cruising chute to increase our speed. Our cruising chute
gives the boat a lovely rosy glow so sailing off with rose tinted light we
slowly moved up the fleet.
We would not normally sail overnight with coloured sails but with a steady
light wind and 4 of us on board the cruising chute stayed up all night. At first
nightfall we could see lots of boats all around but as the night progressed
fewer and fewer boats. The AIS chart has taken over as screen of choice now
mobile phones are reduced to their camera function giving endless opportunity to
check other boats speed and course. Although already we can see far fewer boats
and perhaps soon just us tin he vast ocean.
The first part of the night was very dark as the moon did not rise until
after midnight although Venus gave off a silvery light in the early night. We
are doing 2 handed watches until Andrew and Hugo know the boat better and then
onto single watches and more sleep. Yippee!
Wind lighter than ever this morning so sailing slowly along. Have taken the
opportunity to have a shower while sea is flat and gave myself the luxury of
using my Jo Malone shower gel to celebrate a successful 1st night at sea.
Val