ships that pass in the night
Scott-Free’s blog
Steve & Chris
Fri 31 Dec 2010 14:39
15:22.765N 47:25.683W
Friday 31st December 2010
Distance run in 24 hours: 131
Total distance run: 1329
Distance left: 720
Yesterday's promise of a nice bright, sunny and
calm day was slightly spoilt by the appearance of squally clouds in the
afternoon and we were rained on good and proper for the first time this
trip. An enormous cloud positioned itself right above us and then
deposited untold gallons of water at the same time as blowing gusts at us from
whichever direction it fancied. Steve took the helm from George (autohelm)
as he is a little sluggish with his adjustments for this amount of wind
shift. Wearing only his boxer shorts he decided wet weather gear was not
necessary, and at one stage was considering whether to get out the Head &
Shoulders and take advantage of the free shower!
By early evening it had all blown through and the
skies were again clear and blue, and we sailed on into the night with following
winds and seas, making good time. At around 0400, whilst doing the usual
scan of the horizon, I spotted a light ahead and off to starboard. Another
vessel! How exciting! Nothing on the AIS so not a big vessel.
It eventually made its way towards us and I was surprised to see the red light
of a tricolour. From this perspective I was expecting green. It
turned out to be a sailing vessel going in the opposite direction to us, tacking
into the wind! Not only was it unusual to see another vessel, but to be
crossing this ocean against prevailing wind, current and swells seems to me more
than a little crazy!! I might have thought I was seeing things but Sarah
called up on the VHF shortly afterwards to ask if she was going mad or could she
see a yacht sailing past her in the opposite direction!
When light dawned this morning Serafina had crept
up on us in the night and were asking permission to come close for a photo
opportunity. So out came the cameras and despite the rather big swell many
shots were snapped before they bore away and off on their own heading.
Serafina passing for a photo
op.
We are now making good progress in more or less the
right direction, in a somewhat rolly sea. And as I write another vessel -
this time a tanker - is passing a mile off our starboard side. Just like
buses - none for ages then two at once!