Friday 30th November – Paula Rosa
Everyone is still talking to each other, despite the boisterous conditions last night that may have allowed for less sleep than is desirable! On my first watch of the evening we were averaging speeds of 12 knots, quite remarkable with the wind picking up from 16-18 knots in the day to 18-24knots - there was that slight feeling of ‘on the edge’, more like an express train than a sailing boat! Sergio and Wills clocked the top speed of 21.3 knots, a record for Paula Rosa, surfing down a wave like a big dipper, but not especially conducive to sleep !! On my next watch (5am) things were a little calmer but whooshing along still.
Before the moon rise, which is getting progressively later and sadly waning the stars are amazing, millions of them, with an occasional shooting or falling star. It is like one of those beautiful marquee ceiling liners only more magical because they are real.
Looking forward to catching up on little sleep between watches , I have to say I was counting the minutes for the end of the 5am watch, however we then needed to gybe and check the asymmetric again so, so much for that! I have to admit feeling a bit jaded for most of today but hoping for a quieter night tonight if we stay on this gybe.
A pattern is now emerging, some of us reading, gaming, awaiting the forecasts and of course the pleasure of receiving an e mail from friends and family – it is quite amazing how in the middle of the Atlantic we can still communicate miraculously via satellite far above.
After a slightly cloudier night the sky is now so blue with hot sunshine and the deep deep blue rolling white crested waves – from the stern they chase us constantly, looking like they are about to consume us, then the crash of foam as they lift the stern and continue on along their rolling journey. A few of us have now had an occasional surprise soaking as particularly monstrous ones splash over into the cockpit! The Atlantic might just be the saltiest, it certainly tasted like it!!! Of course without Mr google we have to rely on brain knowledge only! Hope you are enjoying these Atlantic facts, but please don’t quote me!!
Flying fish skim across the water obviously surprised by the large grey hull thrusting through the water, perhaps they think we are a large predator chasing after them, they seem to fly for ages, so beautiful. Nick has had the pleasure of one on the back of his head, perhaps that’s where the saying “a slap around the face with a wet fish comes from”?
A daily pattern is now emerging, some of us on watch, some trying to catch up on sleep, others relaxing, reading, gaming, awaiting the forecasts and of course the pleasure of receiving an e mail from friends and family – it is quite amazing how in the middle of the Atlantic we can still communicate miraculously via satellite far above.
Excitement mounts as the next positioning of the surrounding competition arrives each day around 12 noon, the boys huddle around the computer (someone has to keep watch!!), we are doing pretty well but of course it is sad to hear of those boats that have had to retire after all these weeks and months of preparation, we hope they find safe refuge.
Another tack block broke yesterday and had to be repaired; there are huge forces in play! Another halyard was moused up the mast (no actual live creatures on board just a thin line to thread the halyard!!)
Finally to add confusion to our day we adjusted our time as we approached the international date line, 2 hours back! Fortunately the watches are working brilliantly, thank you David. We get 7 1/2 hours off after each watch, which is amazing.
Well time to go again, farewell and hoping to have a quiet and uneventful night tonight!
Please keep tracking us, love to everyone
Dee x
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