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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The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.
A Heavenly High
As you have probably figured out at this point, the drug of choice on board is, of course, celestial navigation- an art which has hooked offshore sailors for centuries. Once addicted, navigators will emerge from down below only to get their fixes two times per day, and spend the rest of their days and nights down below doing complex spherical mathematics. On Adrienne II, our skipper is our dealer. I must confess that I myself gave in to the strange urge which I’ve felt witnessing my crewmates practice this fine art, and yesterday felt an amazing sensation as I was able to wield the sextant for the first time and with it, bring down the tip of our starboard spreader to the top of our front sprayhood, presicely measuring the angle between the two (35deg, 38,8’ min). This afternoon, Naxo then showed me how to get my fix from the very sun itself - and I now fear there is no turning back.