2 May, 07 – 11.58
15.1596N,46.4956W
24 hr progress: 34.4 Nautical Miles (1 nm = 1.85 km)
Distance left to Antigua (straight line): 877 Nautical Miles ( 1640 km)
Distance completed: 2220 NM (4107 km)
Wave height: 10-12 ft, Winds: 15-20 knots ENE, Bearing: 270 -310 degrees.
Dolphins go crazy in the moonlight. There are about 5 or 6 dolphins around the boat, glowing in the darkness as they disturb the plankton (that throws out light) in the water. Every now and then a luminescent shadow can be seen in the crest of a wave, as the dolphins surf down it towards the boat and back up again. There is a brilliant full moon out tonight that's been steadily rising up the east over the stern. It has turned the sky all around into a surreal kind of extended evening rather than night. Occasionally a cloud drifts in front of the moon, throwing out moon rays behind it. As I write this its about 2am GMT here, I'm sitting on deck, taking a coffee break. The Atlantic has entered one of her calmer moods for the night, which gives me about 6 hours to get any work done that needs any muscle co-ordination – like typing.
As I posted here before, I have changed my rowing schedule around, so I row mostly in the evening, night and morning when it is much cooler. It's infinitely more entertaining to navigate with the stars (on a moonless night) at night or by the moon. Right now, I have the bow following the highway of moonlight, pointing due west.
Another passenger on board tonight – a Tern has stopped by, trying to get some rest on the roof of the cabin til daylight. By by the looks of it I doubt it's getting much rest as it's chosen the downward-sloping-solar panel part roof to stand on. It promises a bit of entertainment as it keeps losing its balance and sliding off it each time a wave bumps the boat. I tried to lift it up and put it in the bilge, so it gets a bit better shelter from the wind (and I made a mental note to remember not to step on it in the darkness)
The day has been fairly productive in terms of mileage and staying on course. Now that I am half way across the anxiety is much less. Despite the bad rowing conditions (cross waves), I am enjoying the experience of being out here. It's a true privilege.
I shall try to post twice a day from now on, as I have more time to write during the day than at night.
B
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Progress as recorded the onboard Argon Satellite trackign beaon
Taken at 22.31 GMT
One of the many birds fishing around the boat. Get some rest on board at night.
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