We are sailing
21 August 2019
Paul Barker
A week later than planned, we drove to the marina some 45 minutes drive away, we still had a few jobs to complete but we still had a few hours till high tide. We left the marina with minimal fuss so that the European authorities didn’t notice us leaving, because the NZ boat ⛵️has overstayed its visa (there’s big fine for not leaving on time) . The sun☀️ was shining and we had a fair wind 💨 out through and down the very narrow and shallow river. Once out into the bay we hoisted the sails. We have had differing winds and waves, from almost flat calm to about 3 metres, we also had one today that was huge it hit without warning I was reading my kindle, this monster of a wave sneaked up from behind me, it hit the side of the boat with such force we were knocked over to about 45 degrees, it tore through the spray hood and Bimini, I was hit from behind which knocked me right across the boat and almost out the other side into the sea, the only thing that saved me from doing so was the lightning ⛈ reactions of my skipper catching me in mid flight as I flew over him. One of the life jackets (not worn at the time) was covered in so much water 💦 it auto inflated, we spent the next 40 minutes repairing what we could of the spray hood, it now has a gaping hole which lets water and the cold wind in. We have also lost our means of charging electrical equipment whilst on deck and my kindle has been misplaced by another crew member.
I have seen dolphins 🐬 every day since setting sail