Day’s Run – 29 January 2019

Our first day back at sea after nearly two weeks in port – a surprise extended stay on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. A gorgeous landmass that allowed us to explore its mountains, traverse its volcanos and devour delicious French cheeses, meats, and breads.

As we steadily head southwest out of the tropics, which provided us with steady winds and seas, we are having to build up our stamina for heavier sailing. As our ship corkscrews through the seas, we sailors who have been ashore for 14 days now, are having to learn to navigate through the ship again, re-learn how to walk, handle sails, even the simplest of tasks such as eating and sleeping change. All in all, it’s a good challenge for us ‘flying fish sailors’ as the Cape Horners refer to those that sail the tropics.

First day out and the projects are underway. All of the bitts, the 8 bollards on the ship that we use to make our dock lines fast, were given a fresh coat of grey paint. Annie, of Ontario, and Sue, of England, had the fun, exciting and awkward job of bending on the mizzen staysail. Awkward because there are not many places to stand or sit while bending on this particular sail. With the extra rolls of the ship, lashing the hanks to the sail with robands while hanging on made for a rather comedic afternoon. We were able to enjoy a delicious dinner of chicken and spaghetti in the salon, not before a team of helpful crew members cleaned up a rather unfortunate food spillage accident on the ladder from the main deck to the salon. Be assured we all have a healthy appetite for our cook Donald’s delicious meals. The Captain lead a discussion about our passage in the afternoon, reminding crew members of the new territory, to get our minds back into sea mode and shake off the shore brain. It’s going to be a different passage ahead than we are used to, and the crew are happy to be back at sea!

From: Reunion

Towards: Cape Town, South Africa

Date: Tuesday, January 29th, 2019

Noon Position: 22°20.7’S x 053°47.2’E

Course + Speed: W b N + 4.9 kts

Wind direction + Force: SE by S + 4

Swell Height + Direction: S by W + 2-3m

Weather: Overcast, humid

Day’s Run: 112.8 nm

Passage Log: 109 nm

Distance to Port: 1985 nm

Voyage: 17838 nm

Sails Set: Fore topmast stays’l, inner jib, tops’ls, foresail

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