20.29 Local Time // 60° 15' N, 005° 14' E
At the dock
On June 4, we reviewed our passage plan before our departure from the marina in Hjellested. Challenges for the day might include thunderstorms and increasing, gusting winds. We attached the staysail, then motored from the marina and hoisted the mainsail with one reef which is becoming a smooth team endeavor. We also raised the headsail. Sailing south, we used a relatively open area to practice and hone wind awareness including the wind vane, the tail tells, the wind on our faces, and the effect of the wind on the water. Next, we practiced points of sail by sailing in a triangle pattern.
As we neared the dock, we used our pickup skills to rescue a hat that had blown off! We returned to the marina and docked the boat with amazing efficiency, using the skills we’ve built over the last days. After our chores for the day were completed, we enjoyed time in the sauna before a delicious curry supper and prepared to head into more open water in the morning.
Katherine Glaser
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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!