21 November 2017 0730 position 26 deg 09' N 018 deg 54' W
The wind was indeed really light during the night and the sea state very calm, glassy indeed, although the boat was moving nicely under code 0 doing 4/5 knts. Clear night, no cloud at all and the stars were present and correct again. Peaceful. However, the peace was soon to be shattered as the engine went on at 0350 as the wind died completely. We passed a number of boats all on precisely the same track as us (256 deg) but whom had persisted. We were treated to a beautiful orange sunrise under light cloud cover in the East but the light airs continue and are likely to last for 24 hours at least, so we are motoring to get through it as quickly as possible. We are awaiting the next grib files to see which if any route will be quickest.
Dave awoke with a real start on his watch (again, awoke with a start on his WATCH) and realised he could not see the mast!! Where had it gone he wondered.....Oh, he was looking aft! Oh dear, oh dear, and we trust our lives to this man. Not only is he asleep on his watch he is looking the wrong way. Good job Neal was on hand to save the day.
We downloaded a position report on the SSB radio at noon and during the transmission the fishing line which we had set earlier suddenly went off with a rush. A fish! Dave dived for the rod and hauled in but whatever it was had gone, and straightened out the hook for good measure. A big one so quite pleased that got away. So we set a larger lure which brings to mind a well used quote from a certain film, "We need a bigger boat!"
1300 and it is still flat calm but the weather forecast is suggesting a lot of wind in sea area BB (ours) later, from the South West. We are presently below the worst of it we believe and by the time it arrives we would be outside of it (says he hopefully!
1317 Whale!! We think it was a Fin Whale but don't ask me as it looked like a big dolphin and we didn't see it again.
There are several boats line astern all under motor all heading on 260 degs. Two changed to sail but put the engine back on pretty smartish afterwards as only managing 2 knts and in the wrong direction.
Alf asked us politely whether we should take afternoon tea and as the engine was on whether he should use the "water boiler" or gas..... brilliant! But his English is a whole lot better that our Finnish although Neal has pretty passable Swedish when he's plastered. And after our tea we were offered a shower by the Skipper - even though it wasn't a Monday! One of the benefits of having a watermaker. Luxury!
1750 dinner: Bangers and mash!! Proper boat food. The mash was hard work as we don't have a masher, but what we do have is an Ironman with a fork and plenty of determination. :-) Unfortunately, during the potatoe peeling process, a certain quantity of peel landed on the sugar scoop and I'd forgotten to wash it away, much to Dave's consternation when he noticed it. But for someone who used to grow potatoes for a living, the irony was there to see. He didn't, and proceeded to remove said peel with the boat hook. Mutter, mutter.
The evening brought lightning in the sky to the North East showing the position of the low pressure region passing that way...still a worry though! The wind is still on the nose and light so we are continuing to motor directly into it. We hadn't expected headwinds so soon but the weather is confused and confusing around these parts.
0200 Engine off at last and sailing close hauled on 225 deg as the wind had increased to 9 knts and the constant slamming into the waves under engine was becoming irritating to say the least. It was nice to sail but not yet in the right
direction.
St Lucia remains a long way off!!
Hi Ho!
Charlie