It is 2 am and I have just taken over from Steve on Night watch, now off Rio Del Rosario out about 18 miles (30:04.393N 116:05.304W). We have switched the shift pattern tonight to 3 on and 6 off, as we are motor sailing in calm conditions at about 7 knots. This arrangement gives you a good 5 hours sleep which is great building on you day “cat naps”, as during the day we have no shift pattern as 2 of us are always in the cockpit.

The fog lifted earlier about 8 pm sweeping back a curtain on  the night sky like a curtain and unveiling one of the best displays of stars I have seen in the Northern Hemisphere, (the moon had not risen at this stage so the back ground was dark), I have often thought of the Northern night sky being weak on stars compared with Southern Hemisphere especially when standing in the plains of Africa or bush of Australia. But really they are both strong but very different, certainly the milky way is richer south but tonight Steve and I sat outside after dinner on the foredeck and just looked up, it was amazing. While we were outside taking it all in, a fluorescent  torpedo’s (what appeared to be) shot past the boat, and then danced off the bow wave. This has often been of my special sights on night sails, as a set of dolphins find the boat and play with the push off the bow wave, while during the day it is a great site and night it is like an underwater fluorescent show, with their speed and agility, combined with the rolling back bow wave. You often forget how special the night runs can be with it sp peaceful, and full of wonder.

But on such a clear night you can see the light houses up and down the coast on either site out 30 to 40 miles. Then you see out to the starboard side a passing city of lights every so often and it is cruise ship heading up the coast. Otherwise you feel like you are out here by yourself (maybe because you are!!!). We still have the fishing lines out but no action at this stage, maybe tomorrow, the water is still cold in the high 50s F as we are at the bottom of the Japanese current which deposits it catch on the beaches to our port. This night trip usually is very cold and would be tonight if we did not have the full enclosed dodger which keeps the wind and moisture out, combined with the heating we running it is making the trip very pleasant.

I am now going to send this and go back to audio book which is ideal for watch duty.

Stay tuned