Update from the Sailors

Here's an update from the sailors:

Here we are, about 800 miles from New York and about 1,400 miles from our first destination, Horta, in the Azores. We have packed a lot of sailing into the last week!

A lot of folks we talked with before we left said things like: "Boy, I'd really like to do something like that." Well, to all those folks and more, I can guarantee that not one of you would have traded places with us last Thursday night. We were barreling along in 25 knots of wind; Rob had the first overnight watch. After a bit, and after the seas had some time to build, and after the wind started to howl, Rob did an "all hands" call and the three of us gathered on deck around midnight to survey the conditions and make a plan. We got our sail plan and course adjusted and continued on.

Tom had the next watch and only 30 minutes after Rob and Pat went to bed, the winds hit 34 knots and Tom did an "all hands" call. A line of squalls was also coming in to complicate the situation. We got sorted out and Rob went back to bed. Pat stayed out with Tom and we tracked the squalls on the radar as they approached and then hosed us down. Again and again.

At daylight, which is around 5 a.m. at that nameless part of the ocean, we all got up and set Remedios in a "hove to" position which is where you adjust the sails and rudder to cancel each other out to hold you in one place. Some people heave to when they cook and eat on the ocean. We don't mind cooking and eating on the move because every hour we are "hove to" is an hour we are not making six miles more towards Horta. And cold beer. In frosted mugs. Yet, we took a couple hours, got some sleep and then started off again.

After really bad nights, and that was one of them, Pat always cooks us a hot breakfast. What a guy! We had the last of our NY fresh food - browned Brussels sprouts and crackers for an appetizer and then Tuscan chicken and bean soup with browned new potatoes and garlic. I know it sounds more like lunch or dinner, yet we are finding it is warmer out here than we anticipated and by the end of the day the cabin is warm enough to kill any thoughts we have of doing much hot cooking. We would open the hatches and let some fresh air in if all the waves wouldn't come in too.

Last night was better. Tom and Rob sat out in the cockpit talking from 7 til 8:30 when it was time for Tom to stand watch and Rob to go to bed. Pat was already asleep. Rob went down the then did the nicest thing. Up from below, he handed Tom the main heavy hatch cover and said, "Here, put this on. It will keep water out of the cabin if we get knocked down while you are alone out there. Have nice night. See you tomorrow." What a guy!

I have special surprise to spring on Rob some coming night. It just might involve sneaking out of the main forward hatch while he is on watch and sneaking up on him from behind in the dark. Just the thought of it brings a grin… we have managed to get pretty good at all the stuff we do while being tossed around like rag dolls. We have too much time to think while on watch, yet it is a good time to sort through everything and manage our concerns and fears. We have learned to trust the boat, trust ourselves and trust our crewmates. I have managed to get my fears down to only two. One is hitting a radar invisible attack submarine at night and the other is that I look like an idiot after using Rob's beard trimmer to cut off all my hair.

Speaking of radar, we came within TWO MILES of a ship last night. It showed up on radar first, and then Tom spotted it visually toward the end of his watch. Pat got to see it too. It was a good reminder that even out here in the vast nothingness, there is stuff we can hit if we get too complacent.

Posted by Peggy on behalf of Pat, Rob and Tom, aboard Remedios, Atlantic Ocean