1134 UTC 18° 58.8'N, 021° 46.78'W
Sailing,
Life aboard Adrienne is hot and sticky. we are all to varying degrees stewing in our own sweat day and night any moment of relief from our increasingly stinky clothes and tacky bodies is caused for celebration.
We had one shower day about a week ago. This involved a hose with salt water laddering up and then a very short rinse with freshwater. As good as it was by the time you dressed, you were already sweating.
We’ve been talking about another shower day for a few days now. Our individual and collective odors were increasingly a significant part of our community. We missed a window two days ago and people were pretty disappointed. Naxo promised to make it happen yesterday.
At about 1 o’clock as we were cruising along nearing the Cape Verde Islands Manot came to the aft cockpit and asked us if we wanted to go for a swim.
One of the things about persistent heat is that you tend to slow down from the heat and the lack of good sleep.
It was hilarious how fast we all started moving once we heard we might go for a swim in the ocean. We’d heard this was a possibility, but thought it was only going to happen in the doldrums which we had passed beyond.
We slowed to a stop throughout some safety lines with a jug at the end to make sure that people could stay within reach. With our captain’s blessing, we started jumping in,
hooting and hollering, grinning like children on a carnival ride.
The water around here is approximately 30°C glorious, comfortable and clear. We estimated the depth at about 5000 m. Some of us jumped some of us dove. There were flips and cannon balls. Katie and Caitlin swam the circumference of Adrianne. Peter ever efficient started the trend of a complete wash down with soap and shampoo and then a return to the ocean to rinse. We each then returned to the aft deck for our freshwater rinse.
It was simple and delightful and also mind-boggling to be bobbing and washing in the great ocean under a clear sky with nothing around but our floating home and each other. What a joyful moment.
Of course we were sweating again by the time we got dressed. But the deeper cleaning of this ocean plunge will certainly linger for days.
KIF SCHEUER
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Dive on in
Life aboard Adrienne is hot and sticky. It was hilarious how fast we all started moving once we heard we might go for a swim in the ocean. With our captain’s blessing, we started jumping in, hooting and hollering, grinning like children on a carnival ride. It was simple and delightful and also mind-boggling to be bobbing and washing in the great ocean under a clear sky with nothing around but our floating home and each other. But the deeper cleaning of this ocean plunge will certainly linger for days.
Death on the high seas
I’m not going to lie - I really miss my dog. As we’re just now approaching Cap Verde (two thirds of the way) I can’t help but think of all the wonderful things that happen on a trip like this; strangers become friends, terror turns into confidence, and ignorance into knowledge. It’s not for everyone. But if you do decide to cross some of most isolated spaces on the planet in a small boat, you’re definitely in for a mighty interesting ride. And next time I’ll bring my dog with me. 😊
Eleven Snippets from Adrienne
This list of little moments might just shed some light on all the other stuff happening out here as we make this massive journey together. The back aft deck takes on many roles, like a salon (Anton gave Naxo an award winning haircut), a butcher shop (Kif cleaned his first fish), a yoga studio, gym and a dance club (Manot is an excellent DJ - and Captain and Katelyn keeps us moving wither energy and enthusiasm). Culinary magic happens nightly in a tiny galley by three amazing chef - sailors. Big thoughts, life's questions, personal histories, paths taken and talk of family (pets too) are shared. I'm beyond grateful to be a part of this little community in the middle of the Atlantic.