It is hard to describe the sensation of the sun setting after 12 hours of motoring through the hot high, a near to full moon and then 10 to 12kts of breeze arrives from out of nowhere 45° AWA off our course, the wheel is balanced, the sea flat and off Naomi goes smoothly slicing the moon lit night. (and yes we are back on starboard tack)Hard to describe how much of this trip has been an incredible pleasure, I was sitting out on the for deck this afternoon the engine cooking along below how even this windless day was fabulous (for those who don’t know - motoring is not my thing at all). To top it off, Esa made a fantastic dinner : dates rolled in bacon, squid, muscles and bonito spread, melon and prosciutto as appetizers, and Thai soup as main dish. Accompanied with a bottle of red, topped off with port and chocolate cookies - life is rough! (and Anne was worried I’d return skinny as a broom stick!!!) The port was ok, but we sat around for a while reminiscing about the bottle of Madeira that Jane and Mel gave us one evening after a particularly frustrating day in Trinidad. The bottle got opened in the shower, was well appreciated that night on board and finished off by Esa and I one night in mid Atlantic chasing or being chased by a squall (looking for a bit more pressure for the speed sometimes got us more than what we had bargained for) Anyhow, we are still talking about what a great battle of Madeira that was - one of the high moments of the crossing.
