day 5
Happy as Larry was I yesterday afternoon, relishing the deep sleep that was long overdue during my off watch. You can imagine my surprise to be awoken suddenly, wondering what emergency may have demanded my appearance on deck with such urgency. Fiona had been sent to undertake the task feared by many before her, as she delivered the news that I must leave my dreamy wonderland of much-needed rest to helm the boat whilst the symmetrical spinnaker was hoisted.
It's hard to find the words to express my joy in that moment, and so I won't try looking. Despite my initial reservations, the crew appeared to relish the giant pink delight as it bobbed about in the breeze, bringing much amusement.
"Yay," said I as I returned to my safe place to hide. For those unfamiliar, I am English, and in my culture, we like to celebrate irony through our use of comedic sarcasm.
- Emily
EmilyCaruso
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!