Day 1
What a beautiful start to 2024 and our first trip of the year. We left Lagos in the afternoon in light winds and had a gentle and serene sail until sunset stole the wind. The sea at night was glassy and beautiful, reflecting the stars. We dodged shipping heading to and from Gibraltar, practicing with a hand bearing compass. When the crescent moon rose, it took a while to realize it was the moon, as it looked like more lights on the horizon. Then we were treated to a spectacular two-hour sunrise, with the light reflected off the glassy ocean. Throughout the morning, we had a perfect sail—6 knots in light airs and a gorgeous, flat ocean. As the wind eased, we hove to and went for an ocean swim and a hot water shower. Feeling refreshed, we got underway again with a strengthening ESE wind, and the dolphins arrived to speed us on our way. Great start to the trip! — Jojo
JojoPickering
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Seasickness
But maybe, I thought, with some drugs I could stay ahead of it. The first 48 hours I felt horrible. But luckily with 3 health care professionals on board and in a very encouraging environment, my body found its way. Anyway, someone offered me a patch (unavailable in Canada) and someone else gave me some pills for nausea and now I feel much, much better.
Dolphins and Bioluminescence
We had a good run with the sails but weather has changed and we are once again chasing the wind. Everyone is getting a chance to practice helming in big swell; starting to get a feel of the wind and water and how it pushes and pulls the hull. A pod of dolphins came to visit at night, splashing in the bioluminescent water, and again in the day, dancing in the bow wake. For now enjoying the calmer sea state and falling asleep to the rumble of the engine and the gentle whooshing of the water on the hull.
Greetings from Lala Lemonshark
The brave crew is toughing it out and staying cheerful despite being tossed around. The engine is off and we are true sailing-main and jib. In the first 12 hours we saw two pods of Orca and four humpback whales, two of which were 20 yards off the starboard beam!