Monday, November 25
Not just a frigate bird, but a Magnificent Frigatebird! The red pouch under its head is inflatable as a courtship display. I’d like to see that, but it seems highly unlikely. They do nest in the Marquesa Keys, so who knows?!
We caught the edge of a rain storm, got a little rain but not cleansing amounts. The more dramatic part was the wind change. I had to gybe and ended up broad to the wind with the yankee out in order to go the right way, but not for long. The wind swung back east.
We’ve been getting farther and farther north of the route but just a tiny bit at a time. Since we were now on a port tack anyway, we’re sticking with it. It’ll be a nice shallow approach to the line (heading straight for it just increases the distance we cover).
There are some motions that become habit when we’re on the same tack for a couple of weeks like this. The boat’s been leaning a certain way and there are more and less stable ways to brace your body and any objects you’re hoping to set down for a moment.
And it’s not just a mirror opposite change from a starboard to a port tack. The cabin isn’t bilaterally symmetrical. The galley is all to port, for example. When opening a cabinet in there while on a starboard tack, everything inside is trying to fall away towards the hull. On a port tack, though, every can, bottle, and packet wants to fly out at you. Gotta be careful.
Another full deck bath and I’m feeling great! Saltwater wash, freshwater rinse: same as I did for our galley towels yesterday.
The enchilada sauce is gone now…James made nachos for dinner with the leftover smeaty bean dip and used it in lieu of salsa. I’m looking forward to having Hispanic food access again!
Tuesday, November 26
I just did something unprecedented. I fell asleep on watch without setting an alarm…and slept through the change of watch. Whoa. Uncool, though not really dangerous with so little traffic around us. Ah well, I’ll forgive myself and just not do that again. James seems more bemused than anything.
The flying fish are doing a fine job of beaching themselves on our boat. It’s possible to save some of them, but they’re sneaky bastards and end up in the weirdest places.
Noon position: N 15° 12.666’ W 048° 40.330’
Distance noon to noon: 100.1 NM
Average speed: 4.18 kn
Trip distance covered: 1438.2 NM
Distance to destination: 716.8 NM
