Lunchtime swim!
March 23, 2025 | Lunchtime swim!
Another glorious sunset tonight; the Pacific has not failed to deliver on that front at all so far. The steady thrum of the engine and a flogging mainsail suggest what we are lacking—wind! The doldrums seem to have found us earlier than hoped for. Despite that, we have kept entertained, always ready to kill the engine and eke out as much sailing as possible from the occasional localized breezes.
Sextant class was this morning, followed by an extremely welcome lunchtime swim. After a couple of days roasting in the near-equatorial sun, a dip into the cool water meant no one was upset about being woken mid-nap. After bobbing about in 3,000 meters of water, we carried on as the wind filled and we got a few hours of sailing in.
We’ve had no more whales since the incredible orca sighting, but dolphins have visited, and boobies (the birds) are becoming more common. Only masked and brown so far—still looking for the famous blue-footed! A very content little boat as we go into another phosphorescent and star-filled night.
P.S. Hope you have an amazing birthday party, Gran. Sorry I’m not there!
- Mary, FALKEN Skipper
If you are reading this blog, please write some comments in the section below and we’ll send them over to the crew to read. I am sure they will love it.
- Mia & Andy (shore support on Leg 5, Panama to Galapagos)
FALKEN|Skipper&Mate
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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.