A last hurrah

The overnight hours were special for every watch. Under the dome of stars in a moon-less sky, each of us during our time at the helm used the most rudimentary celestial navigation, keeping a star or two lined up with the mast as a helper to following the heading range. Swells mixed with gusts to tug the rudder left and right. We have developed a feel for anticipating how both will affect Falken and are able to swing the wheel just so to keep her mostly heading where skipper wants us to go. 

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The midnight watch got the call to jibe at 0230. Those of us snug in our bunks heard footsteps thudding on the deck over our heads, calls of instruction and the swish of the lines pulling the boom to its new position. For that crew, it was an exciting and successful effort, pulling together to grind, pull and ease. The conditions throughout the night were likened to riding a horse over the waves, giving the boat its head and then reining it in. The sunrise crew were greeted with a compliment of flying fish.

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With our new heading straight east, the wind changed, leaving us with great conditions to learn more seamanship from Alex, Ryan and Zoe. It was a whole crew event to set the spinnaker, reef the mainsail and practice the heave-to in case of man overboard. All stations, from preventer to halyard, handy-billy to guys, were handled to a tee due to great directions and encouragement. Alex stressed that the key to success in all of these crucial activities is preparation. Know where you’re starting and where you’re going, don’t rush but be efficient, and tidy up at the end. It was hugely satisfying to accomplish these tasks through teamwork.

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With wind a bit dull, we stayed hove-to for a few hours through dinner time (which was Zoe’s expert Pad Thai), started off with a swim off the back. Even “idling” we were moving at one and half to two knots, so clinging to the buoy line and grasping hand over hand to get back to the stern was a challenge! After several hard working days and nights, the swim was a joyful celebration. Several of us commented how the following couple of hours on deck, reading, quietly chatting or even staring at the sea, left us with a feeling of content companionship. We share a constant good hearted back and forth full of stories, one-liners and comebacks that also means constant laughter. 

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We’ve planned a slower approach to Ensenada to hit tomorrow morning’s high tide, and then it will be customs by 0900. We’re all so happy for a last overnight of wave surfing together.