Day 1
July 5, 2024 | Day 1 At Sea
We were up early to do a mast check and get the boat ready to depart. But our departure time was not for us to choose because we were moored in a wet dock with a lock gate. The options were 4 am or 4 pm; with little apparent difference in the forecast, we opted for 4 pm.
Joy steered us out of the narrow lock gates and we found ourselves in Galway Bay with much stronger winds than forecast. Our first few hours were very busy getting the boat sailing and finally turning off the engine. What a great moment that always is. After eating a wonderful lasagna made by Manot the mate, we settled into our watches.
We had the most beautiful evening sail into the long-lasting sunset, with dolphins joining us and Falken sailing well with staysail and three reefs in the main in 25-29 kts of wind through the Aran Islands and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Jojo Pickering, Skipper, S/Y FALKEN
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!