Here we are on passage again. Day 1 and the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and some great wind between 20 and 30 knots from the North East. We had a good start again, courtesy of Cap P and headed off down the Gulf of Panama with the rest of the fleet around us. We made good progress, enjoying a relaxed afternoon on deck after the rush to get the boat ready for the trip. Shirley and David took on their first night watch after a delicious spaghetti bolognaise (continuing the tradition of eating like kings and making up for the lack of a glass of wine!) with Chris keeping an eye on things through the first night. We reefed in as the wind gusted up to 28 knots but great to see us cover the ground at 8 to 9 knots.
Today, as forecast, the winds have died. We are on the motor in search of wind and strong current. We have had brief sightings of sharks and dolphins. The usual flying fish but we are very used to them now! Temperatures are hot, hot, hot … 34 to 36 degrees and no clouds in the sky. We have lost the rest of the fleet … once again, intrepid adventurers sailing the ocean blue!
The only downer is me … I have managed to hurt my back, going into spasm through the night. Nurse Shirls is providing advice and strong ibuprofen and I am attempting pilates poses on the saloon floor whilst the boat rocks and rolls. Absolutely not ideal but hoping that the muscles relax and my back straightens up. It turns out that this sailing business is not so good for ones health!
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