day 5
October 5, 2024, 10:35 UTC | Day 5
Well, the winds picked up last night and saw us reduce sail to 2 reefs in the main and the staysail, yet FALKEN still flew on, often making 9 knots over the ground. We have been very fortunate that the sea state remains relatively kind, and despite some water across the decks, the hull continues to lap up the conditions and forge ahead towards Lagos. The sky did leak a little last night, yet the temperature on board continues to rise, making for some sweaty crew and making the thought of a shower even more tantalizing. By midday tomorrow, we should pass Lisbon, and then it's just one more corner until a well-earned beer or two. Once again into the night.
- Emily
Mission Control update: FALKEN’s YB tracker decided to go for a swim in the middle of the night, meaning the position on the map has been stuck for the last 24 hours. We will be updating the map manually every 12 hours so don’t worry if they’re not moving for a while! Everyone onboard is loving the passage and having a blast. FALKEN’s ETA to Lagos is early hours of tomorrow morning (UTC).
- Alex
EmilyCaruso
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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!