"Notes from a Small Boat with Mammalian Company" - the journey continues and
in the past 36 hours we have been joined by a multitude of sea mammals.
Yesterday morning saw the arrival of the first of 3 schools of dolphins,
they didn't come too close as we were motoring. However, last night when
for a short period we were sailing a school of at least 20 dolphins came to
play all around Osprey. Magnificent creatures, they were swimming all
around but especially at the bow - at one point there were 6 swimming in
line abreast just forward of the bow, truly amazing. Another school was
cavorting off to starboard this morning but didn't come too close.
Having taken afternoon tea on the Terrace, Charles was still up there
reading his book with John below decks when in his peripherary vision he
caught a grey movement. He quickly realised it was a whale about 100m off
the starboard bow, John joined him on deck and it was quickly appreciated
that we were in the middle of a pod. Unfortunately, none were close enough
to see clearly but 3 whales, all blowing, were clearly identified and the
original one Charles saw was close enough to see the ridge on its back as it
dived
So Kuki having spent the entire passage from Antigua desperate to see Whales
and Dolphins, misses out by having jumped ship on a mammalian extravaganza!
The beauty of these animals is indescribable, and the attempts to capture
them in photos fails to do them any justice.
Life aboard Osprey continues in a sedate manner, we still continue to motor
sail averaging 5.6 knots and have covered over 300 miles leaving approx 800
to go. Unfortunately, we are still to gain the expected winds - and John
has just downloaded an updated weather map which shows they have
disappeared. But the wind has been slowly strenghtening and we are hopeful
that "Big Blue" will be deployed tomorrow.
The Osprey library is being well utilised, with both John & Charles on their
3rd book of the voyage. Luckily the book exchange at Mid Atlantic Yacht
Services, Horta, provided 8 books, so these should keep us going.
As the sea was relatively calm this morning it was decided to transfer the
spare fuel we are carrying on deck to the starboard tank. This was somewhat
trickier than on the previous leg, as there has been a good 10-15 foot swell
running since we left Horta. Anyway, with a bit of clever teamwork only a
minimal quantity of diesel was spilt.
So as another dusk draws in, and the crew put ever more warm clothes on
Osprey continues to head for Morocco.
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