Fai Tira Blog 16.00 UTC  Wednesday 2nd December

Fai Tira in the Atlantic getting closer to Antigua .   17:46.39N 56:15.28W

Even though it’s been three days since we’ve passed through, what for us is another time zone, the long day still takes its’ toll, making the first watch particularly arduous, bed being a further two hours away. Since we re-arranged our schedules, my stint has remained 2am till 7am. Although the adjustment still takes time, the effect isn’t quite so bad for me; and even though it still catches me out, I have also have an additional bonus of the Eastern sky starting to lighten at around 4. 30 am.

At 7.30 the sun is already high enough to omit a burning heat that, even then, has me looking around for shelter.

I was joined, on my early morning stroll and chafe check on the fore deck, by a black and white gannet. Funny how after a long period lacking in visual variety, any different sign of life takes on a new importance that quickly gets latched on to. I was treated to a graceful aerial display as it swooped over the bow eyeing me up. Before folding its’ wings and with an audible splash, it hit the sea like a dart only feet away. Its’ emergence was effortless and it disappeared, into the distance, with what was undoubtedly just one of its’ breakfast courses’

The chafe check was mostly ok, but aside from the already patched up areas, some of the seams, on the genoa look like they’re struggling a bit and will have to be added to the already growing list of repairs for Antigua.

I’ve just made a first entry into a book Dee gave me for the journey, called The Cloud Collector’s Handbook. It’s a book identifying clouds and formations, with photos’ and text. And then as an added interest, and a bit of fun, it requests that you fill in a chart as a record of what you’ve seen. It then awards points and bonuses dependent on your response. The sunrise had been spectacular with shafts of light creeping round the sides of the clouds and bouncing off the water. The sky reminded me of that old adage, red sky in the morning Sheppard’s warning (although I soon dismissed this as non-applicable. Not too many Sheppard’s and even fewer sheep out here)

Reference to the book confirmed that the brilliant formation above my head and stretching back for miles, was altocumulus. The book awards 30 points with a possible 15 bonus points for identification. It then asks that you record date, time, weather conditions and yes, location. Imagine the smug grin creping across my face as I scribbled in, 6 am, Yacht somewhere in mid Atlantic.

15 bonus points? surely can’t be enough!!

Pete had reported, during last nights’ changeover brief, that problems with the staysail furling had prevented its’ use. So the first task to-day took little identification. The problem seemed initially to be sticky, as it seemed well and truly jammed. However we managed to unfurl it, drop the halyard and gained access to the bearing housing. Of course everything spun freely. We eased it with dry lubricant, hoisted it back and it worked perfectly. Boats can be so fickle!!

The day remained hot and we sailed for the most part. The general sameness, is having the effect of merging one day with another. To-day I read a book, slept, did the roll call, read a book, dropped sail, drank a beer, carried out an engine check, slept and, oh yes, read a book!! Occasionally something might be substituted like baking bread or cleaning. Easy to get complacent, but as this is still mid Atlantic, Still best not to!!.

The moonlit nights are difficult to ignore. They are just so bright. Pete’s selection of poetry, as a means of illustration was very appt. There has to be times in the UK, I’m sure, when they may well be that impressive, but it’s nearly always on a cold mid winter night in a suburban setting. This is warm with the backdrop of a massive sea and huge sky amidst total tranquillity. That’s when dramatic turns to magical!

It’s difficult, with our disruptive watch, to maintain continuous sleep. The sounds and movement of the boat coupled with the change in my body weight, had indicated that the wind had got up and there was some action happening out there, all heralded by the now familiar judder as the boat accelerated.

I was awake now. However in spite of being hit by a surprise squall, that disconnected one of the adjustable pole support guys, sending it sideways and the boat in the wrong direction, Pete said he was ok.

So again the next day saw another early start to recover the offending item. Once back in position and the sails functioning we were off, but only making 4 knots. So in attempt to maintain our pole ish position, we thought it a good time to play at being proper sailors. We assessed the days sail plan dropped everything we’d just put up, dragged out and hoisted the cruising chute. And 11/2 hours later, still before 8.30am and exhausted, we sat back and looked at the speed indicator.......4 knots  Great this sailing!!!

The evening saw us relaxing and having a snack before our meal. The moon was already high and playing with the clouds. Our conversation had drifted into a deep and meaningful area and we were very relaxed. I happened to glance skywards above Pete’s left shoulder and gave out a gasp. There massive in the sky, in startling reality, formed by the effect of reflected moonlight on the clouds, was a clear, sharp, unmistakable and exact reproduction of the typical biblical image of Jesus Christ. It lasted about 15 seconds, too quick to photograph, but plenty long enough for Pete to look and concur.

The explanations are obviously simple, but for me the impact was huge.

So there we are then!!

Heard disconnected voices on board, had a phantom tap on the shoulder, had a midnight slap in the face by a wet fish and now seen god in the sky.

Wonder what next?

Bye for now.

Pete and John