15:46.45S 019:41.22W Diary of a Day on Passage
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Wed 1 Feb 2023 15:30
31st January 2023
The night of the 30th January was spent under sail, wing on wing on wing
(Genoa, Main and Staysail), with an average speed of 8 knots. Good progress
was made, however Intrepid gained on us and were within 5 miles of us by
dawn.
A beautiful bright sunrise greeted us at 06:20. The cockpit table was
scrubbed in preparation for breakfast. Fruit salad was chopped and granola,
fresh coconut yogurt, honey and breads were laid out for the hungry crew.
For those who wished, there was avocado, tomato toast topped with a poached
egg. As well as the necessary wake-up caffeine, teas, and coffees.
Rob came on watch at 07:30 and, as always, checked the sail plan and did a
bit of this and that to improve Irene IV's speed. We began to pull away from
Intrepid.
Just before the Radio Net call, at 08:55, the generator is switched on. When
the generator battery percentage reaches 70%, it is time to press the start
button until she reaches 100%. This optimizes her efficiency. The generator
hours are logged in the logbook for reference.
09:00 SSB Radio Net commences. After a minute's silence for emergencies
(thankfully, there have been very few) Hugh from Akoya starts the roll call.
Each boat gives their position and weather conditions and anything else to
they may have to report. We are collectively delighted to hear Donna from
Seabird, even though Seabird is 700 miles ahead of us. Serendipity shares
their success at catching yet another fish, this time "The largest Mahimahi
we have ever caught", announces George.
It is decided that a small wash in the washing machine might be advisable,
so each crew member is allowed to add 3 items of clothing. The water maker
is activated, and the washing machine loaded at 09:32, just after the Radio
Net call ends.
The morning in the galley is taken up preparing sourdough bread for baking
tomorrow morning, kneading, rising, and baking yeast bread for today's lunch
and baking almond flour chocolate chip cookies for afternoon tea. It is
becoming hot work in the galley again as we leave cooler weather behind and
chase the sun west and slightly north to Salvador.
After lunch of warm fresh bread, cheeses, salami, and beef slices,
accompanied by left over vegetable pie, it is time for action! Preparations
start for hoisting the spinnaker. There are lines, and blocks everywhere, a
veritable spider's web of tripping devises. As this is our third or fourth
time doing this as a crew, we each have our job, so it has become relatively
efficient. Rob runs back and forth checking that everything is safe and
ready to go. At 13:45, the beautiful, billowing, black and white striped
sail is gymnastically hoisted by Bonga and Giles on the fore deck, and Rob
on the halyard. Liz and I are in the cockpit on the sheet, ready to wind on
at the appropriate moment. Liz and I play the sail, in and out, mirroring
the wind, to sail her as smoothly as possible. Later Giles and Bonga took
over as our hands began to cramp. It is exhilarating. The spinnaker was up
all afternoon until the hint of dusk at 17:30. We have left Intrepid in the
dust!
16:00 is teatime. You can set your clock with absolute certainty - the
kettle will be switched on by Rob at exactly 16:00. At the beginning of this
voyage from Cape Town, it was just Rob and I for tea. Then Giles joined in
the delightful occasion. Now, all 5 crew members appear without fail, no
matter how much they may need to catch up on sleep. Today is no exception.
Kettle on at 16:00, Lapsang Souchong tea brewing at 16:05, first sip enjoyed
at 16:10. Today we nibble almond flour chocolate chip cookies to compliment
the tea, and all is indeed well with the world.
By the way, Giles broke the handle off his teacup during afternoon tea! He
has since fixed it!
Spinnaker is put away and smells waft from the galley. We eat a supper of
the remaining Mahimahi at 18:30.
Wash up and clean-up is a group event. Then crew start to head to their
cabins. Rob is on watch, enjoying an evening cup of tea. Happy that Intrepid
is a safe 9 miles away. I am in the galley preparing watch snacks and hot
chocolate in a thermos for Liz and Bonga who, along with Giles share the
graveyard watch shifts.
20:00, I say goodnight to Rob, and after a little violin practice in my
cabin, also close my eyes for a night's sleep rocked like a baby by mother
Irene IV.