Maine to Scotland - Day #11/12 #2
11 June 2010 | 51 32'N:32 44'W, 952 miles from Scotland approach
Wayne - aboard Wiki Wiki
Today is the prettiest day we've had. Sun is out, and we're directly downwind wing on wing.
Wind is 14.5 SSW; ,making 8.5kts on course of 83M. Skys are clear.
Still no cabin fever, but I am getting excited about seeing Scotland with Carolyn, Dave, and Stacy. Dave and Stacy are long time good friends of ours, and are coming over to tour with us. Part of the plan was for them to be there when we came in, but since we're making such good time it looks like we'll be there first. Stacy is asking for us either to stay offshore until they arrive or go out and re-enact for their arrival.....probably not. I love to collect life experiences, and this is a big one for me, but to have them show up and see beautiful Scotland together afterwards makes this a particularly collectible set of memories.
Funny how 900+/- miles seems like nothing now. That's only one Bermuda! One of the goals I had for this trip was to raise my "threshold" for deep water sailing. In spite of having done a number of 1000 mile trips offshore, I still find it a little intimidating. The nights are the worst. Most of the time you can only see what you can see on radar, and even though you may be going at the same speed as you were during the day, the sensation is that you're on a fast moving freight train...strapped to the front. Bad weather with a big sea can be a bit unnerving. That is particularly true if you have to go up on deck to shorten sail. Wiki Wiki is great in that regard; with few exceptions you can manage winds that pick up from the comfort of the cockpit.....it's a big deal, and is what has made so much of this trip enjoyable.
I think my threshold is higher, and I am very pleased with that. It makes me anxious to get back on my own boat, "Glory Days", and move her into some deep water.
Stay tuned.
Wayne....aboard Wiki Wiki