Day 16 - Reflections from the Blue

A year afloat: to the Caribbean and back
Sam and Alex Fortescue
Mon 6 Dec 2010 14:15

13:17.32N

037:30.53W

 

Well here we are then clinging to 34’ of fibreglass as we roar across the Atlantic heading for St Lucia. Ok those of you who have been following our progress will know that  I am exaggerating the roaring, we are moving at a steady at 4.5 knots over the ground and are into the trade winds at last.

We are now on day 16 of our crossing and are well settled in to our watch and chore schedules. It is amazing how the days fly by, between watches, meals and cleaning it is all we can do to fit in ½ an hour for 5pm drinks and pre dinner snacks before an evening 4 course meal and, oh yes, sailing the boat 24/7. Crossing the giant Atlantic ocean is much harder than you would imagine. I can’t for the life of me think why I didn’t figure this one out sooner.

So here we are in 3 mile deep water which hides a vast mountain range rising from the ocean floor. The skies are clear and clean with beautiful sun rises and sets, whilst the whole universe surrounds us at night in all her glory… not bad. The flying fish have been flying, some times only 1 but often 30 to 50 at a time, skipping over wave tops  for 100 yards or so, fins / wings franticly beetling at the air before disappearing back into the Cobalt blue water. I can’t help wondering what the other fish make of them. Are thy enlightened by the above water world and freed themselves of there limitations? They seem to be out of the box thinkers.

Our newly democratised captain is taking it all in his stride as he does everything and is as easy as ever. The first mate has her spread sheets at the ready and is on top of any problem with the running of supplies and watches normally before the rest of us even perceive something is amiss. Will and I, well we just do all the hard work and love it.

Love to all

Graham / Grease monkey / Summer Song