Nordlys goes to sea
NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Wed 19 Mar 2003 15:32
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6 degrees, 42min N
80 degrees, 45min W
1000hrs 19th March.
At 0830hrs yesterday morning we upped anchor and left the beautiful
anchorage off Isla Pedro Gonzales. All of us were a little jaded as
the result of the excellent hospitality that we and the Mellings had received on
Troubadour the evening before. We finished the evening roaring with
laughter at 'Beyond the Fringe' while the full moon lit up our bay almost as if
it were daylight.
We were promised no wind and our expectations were not high however we
enjoyed a breeze of 12 knots out of the SSE putting us close
hauled on the port tack laying the course out of the Gulf of Panama.
At ten in the evening the wind began a dance that had us
tacking several times, usually when all the off watch crew were asleep,
and eventually at 0330 the engine went on as the speed had been down
to 2 knots for nearly an hour. Yes believe it or not we are
all learning patience. Especially as all this time we had at least half a
knot of current against us. Two hours of Herr Diesel and with full
batteries we were able to sail at 4 knots again. By the time we had been
at sea for 24 hours we had logged 131 miles and were 105 nearer the Galapagos. Current and tacking causing the
difference in these figures.
As I write this at 1000hr local time spirits are high, we
are laying the great circle to the islands and the sheets are just cracked
giving us 6 knots with 10 knots of true wind. Christabel is reading Ellen
MacArthur's biography, perhaps a worrying sign, and Annette is doing odd jobs
around the place. Mainly sorting out the results of us all managing
to leave a small hatch open yesterday.
Taraki had left just behind us and Troubadour a
bit later. At this morning's radio schedule Taraki was motor sailing
to windward and astern of Troubadour who had just turned her engine off and
was enjoying the same breeze as we are but some seventeen
miles north east of us. Boats in front of us have not enjoyed a good
passage so any good wind is a plus as we progress while we can. So far no
luck with the fishing but ever hopefull.
We find it very incongruous that as we glide over peaceful
blue water our country is about to go to war. All I will say is that if
anyone reading this has a loved one involved then our best wishes for a quick
return of him or her go out to you.
Happy times to you all from a very relaxed Nordlys and crew.
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