Christine's Atlantic Circuit
Peter Lansdale
Mon 28 May 2018 17:38
48:00.5N 016:55.9W
 
We can tell we are getting nearer  to Europe, by the increase in the level of shipping. Sometimes we see 2 or 3 a day! Well I say see...what i mean is that we can spot them on the "electronic ship detecting" AIS, and they tend to pass us further away than the visible horizon. The passage seems to go at varying rates according to one's mood; so now we are less than 600 miles to Plymouth, it seems to be going quicker especially since we have suitable wind...at the moment! There are couple of possible spoilers though, firstly the wind is set to change, first by dropping, and then later swinging round to be against us (are we down hearted? no of course not ...well not much!) The second factor is we know from experience, that when we get much closer, the last 50-100 miles or so will seem slow.  There is no official logical explaination, just something in our heads triggered by the "so near so far" effect i suppose.
 
We are doing our best to lighten the boat by eating stuff, and as i write Lynn is conjouring something nice smelling in the galley. As regular readers will know, we tend to take turns in the galley, and the results are always impressive (well apart from Ian's corned beef hash which is best left in the "nourishing" category!) So, not only has it been a terrific sail, but the restaurant has been marvelous, with an excellent menu and view....just a terrible drive to get to! Galley operations have been impeded by the only can opener being rushed to surgery for emergency gluing as it's handle has fallen off. Thus proving the origin of the phrase "we had one of them but the handle fell off!" within the English language.
 
The increasing night chill, resulting in many more layers of clothing, has not prevented Manuela from enjoying more wildlife. I do not think she (or any of us come to that) has seen so many whales on passage, and one even obliged with an almost cartoon like water spout as it surfaced. Manuela also is auditioning for the milkmaid role making more yoghurt, which is a real treat out in the middle of the sea.  Peter continues to be our chief "sail molester" and even managed yesterday to contrive a rig with 2 genoas one on each side, and a main all at the same time. It was a good thing we managed to sit on the sail locker to prevent him reaching for the spinnakers! Ian seems to have set himself up as a cuckoo clock, making himself useful by pointing out when it is time for afternoon tea and meals, but failing in watch keeping by getting up and fully suited up an hour too soon for an 0300 watch...doh!