SAILING OFF

SAILING OFF – Nov. 29th
The plan worked pretty close to schedule. We expected to be at the gas station at 9am for opening time and made it there at 9.15am. By 9.45am, we had diesel in the tanks and 8 portable plastic containers full of gas for the generator.
But earlier our small world was filled of excitement and sadness. Excitement as everyone was getting ready for departure. Sadness becasue Mari Angeles who are Fernando girlfriend had come to greet the off and the time had come. On my way to the showers at the Marina to take my last shower on firm ground for some time, I met with them talking next to the taxi. I stopped a minute to say goodbye but quickly moved on to let them finished in privacy the emotional goodbye.

At the gas station we met with the Havik crew also sailing of to Martinique. We had to use Pilar’s multilingual abilities to communicate in French. We agreed to talk at 8pm every night and freq. Channel 11. Three boats departing at the same time, I thought. The ocean almost felt crowded already.

Ana had to put on the strap seat on and to get up the main to tie a couple ropes used to raise flags for signaling and/or country ownership.
After watching the circus act for about 10 min, we left the docking area using the motor. Ten minutes later, clear off in the open waters, the main sail and the genova were out and pushing the boat at about 6.5 knots.

We are sailing paralell to the coast until we clear the island and then South- South West. We will be sailing towards Cabo Verde until we pick up the trades winds that travel from South West Africa directly across the Atlantic to the east coast of South America and the Caribbean. Its almost like hitchhiking.
The wind pickup to 26 knots wind and we have 8.7 knots boat speed. At times, the boat, while pushed by the waves coming from behind, takes an angle that requires everyone to hold on.
In the first half hour, I could feel my body fighting with the motion. Motion sickness is always a concern. Now, I feel that every cell in my boby swins with the boat and will for the rest of the trip

Juanjo, connected to the weather radar just mentioned that we are 2830 miles from Martinique. Good to know…