#2. las palmas to antigua|colors

January 30, 2025 | 15:35 UTC | 11:35 Ship’s Time | 18º 20.7’ N / 052º 35.4;’ W

Hello this is Sarah. We’ve sailed 2470 nautical miles and finally the air feels warmer and we have sunrises of lemon yellow, pink fluffy clouds deep golden sunsets and the sea is a dark aquamarine blue rather than grey. The rain squalls with gusty winds seem to be behind us although maybe this is too early to say.
The size of the waves has also now reduced from about 4 to 2 meters (i may be exaggerating) and the movement of the boat is much less erratic so we have all had a chance to catch up on sleep while off watch.

We’ve seen very little wildlife on the ocean. The highlight was the group of sperm whales - probably females with calves a couple of times some dolphins- probably Atlantic spotted dolphins- followed the bow when we were off the coast of Cape Verde islands. A few white birds with a long tail feathers circled us when we were 1000 miles out from Antigua. Last night a single big bird with grey feathers flew close back and forth as if inspecting us to see if we would be a good perching point. Occasionally a flying fish has had the misfortune to land on the deck. Once  in the middle of the night one caught Emily (our long suffering skipper) across the forehead when she was in mid conversation. A real life ‘slap in the eye with a wet fish’.

On board we are a very content group. Time on watch together particularly in darkness has led to shared stories, discussions, reflections and laughter.
I’m aware of how lucky we are to have experienced something unique in this slow journey under sail we’ve undertaken together.

- Sarah.