Sunday 10 February 2019

A beautiful afternoon on Day 4; bright sunshine (almost warm), a few fluffy cumulus clouds, gentle swell with a NW wind of 9-12 knots. We have full main and the asymmetric up, broad reaching at around 7 knots. We could be on a trade wind passage crossing the Pacific - delightful sailing. Vicky and Tom are nearly home, Nelson is away on our port side some 180 miles away! I (Vicky) will be getting (have got) soft on Vingilot; in the stronger winds there were no waves breaking over us in the cockpit, it is dry, sheltered from the wind and there is company on every watch. Just a little different from sailing on Sunstone.

So far I have found all the food items needed; but I fear that sometime I will not remember where something is, after storing eight days of shopping, catering for five crew for seven weeks. Snacks are readily available for the night watches; but there are a few special storage places that I am keeping quiet about. It is important to ensure that not all the dark chocolate, sweet biscuits and Coke Zero are found straight away!

It looks like a very empty ocean. However the need for a proper watch on deck was highlighted last night. At 2245 I saw an AIS contact. The 180m Erisort was going to pass about 1/4 mile away. Way too close ... After a call on Ch 16 by the skipper the cargo vessel altered course for us and passed 2 miles away. A timely reminder that a good look out is needed at all times.

This is ocean sailing at its best.