GHOST

With some 200nm to go to the Galapagos we're approaching another milestone on the trip, as we track SW 15nm north of the equator. We should cross it about midnight tonight (1500 Oz, 0600 UK). Alas the expectation of swimming across the fabled line won't be a reality; not least of all because we are actually making good progress in 10-15 knots of wind so jumping off now would indeed be an offering to Neptune. Plan is for everyone to be on deck come midnight to toast some chilled sangria and make some small offering to Neptune, Poseidon or indeed anyone else that impacts our life at sea. So far this passage has not lived up to its 'windless' nature, as we have only motored for about a day. After the unexplainable windless but rough conditions of a few days ago we've had a cracking sail with the wind predominantly out of the south anywhere from 30-100 degrees of the beam. We've settled into a pretty relaxed routine, with 4 of us making short work of the watches. Today (like the preceding week) has been pretty quiet - reading, eating, sleeping, eating, playing trivial pursuit, drinking sundowners, eating and sleeping with the occasional glance up at a barren ocean horizon. Haven't seen too many signs of life. Unlike the Atlantic crossing where we regularly had contact with other boats or at least knew the names of some that were just over the horizon, apart from a few tankers in the first 48 hours and a couple of long range sea birds we're pretty much on our own out here. Not long to go now though and already the "when I get ashore" statements are being heard. I want a banana milkshake, Kat wants a bike ride, Jay a super duper, choc brownie sundae and Steve just wants the Internet! To top it off Jay has promised us a risotto but is worried he might burn the pasta (?) so we're all looking forward to that merging of two great Italian classics (I can hear Stefano saying "Mama mia").