Fai Tira Blog Friday 2nd April

Fai Tira Still somewhere in the Pacific 07:49.47S 109:51.15W

We are now into our eight day at sea. At about 5.30pm yesterday we passed the thousand miles travelled point, a significant event that just couldn’t be ignored. It also indicated a possible time of 21 days for our trip: and what better way to celebrate it than a toast. So while David and I sat basking in our achievement, Pete popped up from the confines of the galley where he’d gathered the ingredients to produce a trio of stiff rum and cokes: and with a chink of glasses (well in this case plastics) we saluted the first big milestone of this leg.

The big events so far, on reflection, don’t sound so exciting. The rain seems to have gone away, the moon has made more spectacular appearances, we’ve been treated to a fantastic display by dolphins, seen more signs of sharks, had a visit from an inquisitive bird, I fixed the bog flushing system and oh yes made a fantastic loaf of bread (it’s ok, I washed my hands first) Such an adventure!!!, can’t quite think how we find time to fit in all that the sailing and drinking!!

Our whoozie screen has been inactive now for the last few days. It was last erected in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the sight of foreboding sky that threatened, but didn’t actually deliver.

The sail plan for the day remained unaltered. Everything was up in about and we had about 15 knots of South Easterly wind. There was a moderate sea and we were travelling in roughly the right direction making about 6 ½ - 7 knots and had just recorded another 24 hour total in access of 150 miles.

We’ve also been presented with an unwelcome incentive not to change the sail plan. We’ve just discovered that the repair, of which we we’re so proud, to the fore stay foil, has come adrift in so much as it looks as though some of the screws have come out, causing it to part at a high level joint. Everything has remained in place and looks as though it will continue to do so, but to operate the furling gear unnecessarily would be provocative and risky: so we’re hoping that these are in fact trade winds and that they will hold for the next 2000 miles. The repair involves a trip up the mast, so an attempt at sea is best avoided.

Before the first of the evening watches, we were treated to a fabulous sight as a huge moon, in all its’ orange glory, climbed out of a tranquil sea projecting a shimmer and visual aura that illuminated the surrounding darkness and hazy cloud. As it climbed and intensified it transferred its’ attention to the sea, and it glowed in response. Its’ hypnotic pull just seemed to capture your gaze releasing your mind to just stare in vacant wonderment.

I immerged from my watch, in the early hours of Thursday morning to be greeted by a clear, chilly, yes I did say chilly, moon lit night. Fai Tira felt smooth and the sails taut. The sea was calm and the boat rocked gently in the slight swell, on a sea surface punctuated by occasional white horses. The only sounds were from the sea as its’ frothing wake rushed aside to make way for the speeding hull. The wind whistled as it forced its’ way through the rigging and the wind generator whirled as it spun on its’ axis in an effort to make the most of the night breeze as it searched for power. The instruments were in night mode, their lighting subdued. A glance in their direction confirmed a speed of 7 knots and a wind from the South East: also that we were travelling in a more Southerly direction than preferred.

I grabbed a cushion and pulled it across to the port side of the cockpit before sitting down. I crouched beneath the spray hood with my feet pushed hard against the opposite seat forcing me up against the high side of the boat, while stretching to shake the sleep out of my bones and waiting for my eyes to adjust for night vision. Straight away things felt comfortable, confirming Pete’s handover, that all was ok.

Our favourite perch on the aft deck beckoned. It’s there that our still inflated dinghy is stowed: and with back propped against a conveniently positioned fender and legs dangling over the front: it provides a high and comfortable vantage point with unrestricted vision.

That was it then. I leant back, took stock and settled down for another night at the office. If only I could turn down that blasted moon, I’d be able to do some proper star gazing.........Oh well!!!

Visitors are always a welcome distraction and we had two early treats, the first being a visit from a small bird. We were now 1000 miles from the nearest landfall and it appeared as the first rays of the early morning sun warmed the back of my head. It was black and delicate in shape and darted between the waves before hovering above our heads as if both puzzled and fascinated by our presence. It hung around for a short while then, with its’ curiosity satisfied, flew off into the distance..

The dolphin display that followed was amongst the best we’ve witnessed. A pod of about 50 gathered from all directions and provided the sort of entertainment you’d willingly pay for.

However, the roll call was now out of the way and there were places to clean and things to make. So still flushed with the success of my soda bread, and also because we didn’t have any, I thought that I’d once more bake some bread. It shouldn’t be hard. I knew where the mixture was stowed. So it was just a case of retrieving it, reminding myself of the instructions, emptying the mix into a bowl, throw some warm water at it, mix it up, stick it somewhere warm, turn out the dough, shove it about a bit, put it in the oven and there you are,,,, bread. At least that’s how it worked last time, but this packet was different. Shock and panic, there was separate yeast and the instructions referred to something about cutting in butter and also included lots of different stages. Nothing daunted, anyone who can master soda bread must be able to cope with this and after about 3 hours concentrated application and addition of sun flower seeds. A brilliant loaf emerged from the oven.

There’s something strangely primitive and exciting about bread making. Must be all that kneading and watching things rise!!!

Think I need to lay down now!

Bye for now Pete and John