This morning the sun is rising and illuminating the setting full moon. There is absolutely nothing in sight for 360 degrees around but ocean. We are flirting with the halfway point between the Canary Islands and the Cape Verdes (a 950 nautical mile passage, about 6 days of sailing).
The power of nature never fails to impress. We are ruled by wind and waves, as were the sailors of yore. Although we are in a tough aluminum boat and not lacking for comforts, only a fool would not be in awe of the majestic power of the ocean.
After several days out of sight of land and with the closest land (Africa!) 170nm to our East, one simply must have faith in the integrity of the boat, confidence in the fortitude of the crew, and an eternal hope for fair winds and weather. Many old salts before us have noted that the boat is tougher than the crew, and I would affirm that axiom. As for the crew, now we are reaping the benefits of all those days of insisting Porter and Jack walk to school on cold and snowy days in January. I am proud beyond words of our very able bodied, determined, and ever fun loving crew members. It is all the better for their lack of awareness of their grit.
Offshore sailing would be boredom punctuated by anxiety if we had time to reflect on it, but one really doesn't. Trimming the sails, addressing the endless chafe on lines and sails, producing sufficient calories for the crew, napping between tasks, and greeting a howling gust with a smile as one works forward on bended knee upon a pitching deck to reef the main sail are collectively all consuming.
We embarked in search of experiences; we are not being short changed.
- Christopher
Lovely and moving post. Glad you have arrived safely in the CVs.
ReplyDelete