37:14.92N 39:05.42W
Caroline writes: I think today has been
the smoothest sea since we started sailing Discovery Magic nearly 3000 miles
ago. It’s as though the sea is fast
asleep, breathing so softly that you can barely see its chest rise. The
stillness is a luxury, like climbing in to the gentleness of a freshly laundered
bed. We have had lunch on the
patio, (sorry, in the cockpit), had hot showers and the washing machine on, and
watched Shakespeare in Love. We have only seen one yacht today and, bizarrely,
when we called them on VHF radio, found that we know them. My midnight watch is wonderful with a
warm southerly breeze and the moon dipping in and out of the clouds, spilling
patches of silver on to the sea.
We have had dolphins visit us several times today, yet
each time you are compelled to watch them.
I think of them as the teenagers of the sea, as they are like a watching
a group of break dancers in the street.
The first hint of their arrival seems to be a gathering of birds – those
in the neighbourhood that have sense that there might be some local
entertainment. Even though we are doing eight knots the first dolphin to arrive
knows he’s good and effortlessly shoots across our bow and rolls just in front
of us, showing its lighter underbelly.
Word is out as others are coming in fast, often in two or threes, all
wanting to try out the new toy, all with the exuberance of youth and the
camaraderie of teenagers. At first
it seems as though they are flaunting their agility and grace as they dive and
jump around the bow our boat, but you realise they are just there for the fun of
it - because they can. Numbers
increase and they put on a great show coming in from port, then starboard, two
at a time, three at a time. Then
from both bows at the same time, weaving, twisting, intersecting with each
other, jumping in unison one moment, then switching: one diving, one jumping -
and all the time busy chattering to each other. Within a few minutes they are gone – to
find something else to amuse them, but leaving you with joy and thankfulness
that they took the trouble to come and visit.
