Week 3 - 24.05.18 to 02.06.18
Would never have believed it in a million years, as we stand we have had 4 days and nights (well nearly) of so little wind that we have had to run the engine almost consistently for days. The little wind we have had has obviously been in the wrong direction, so unusable... the closer we get the more painful this is, especially when the fog rolls in at night. During the day, the visibility is very poor also, but the flat seas are mesmerizing. Smooth as silk only smoother, mirror like where the sea birds flying in that grey sky are reflected in perfect symmetry in that grey sea, 150 shades of grey! The sea is so still that the birds are sitting on it, quite undisturbed. The closer we get to Britain, the more company we have, tankers and cargo ships but also a myriad of fishing vessels, going randomly up and down the fishing areas. Funny to see them all head off home as one man around 4am. We don’t actually see any of them at all. All we have is the AIS telling us they are all around us, but we only saw a handful of them with our own eyes.
It is damp and soggy even when it is not raining; still the miles are being eaten up. More wildlife with swallows and a tiny yellow breasted bird spending the afternoon with us on deck for a while until they decided that it would be warmer in the galley, where Lynn is cooking dinner. One of them actually landed in the pan, much to Lynn’s surprise.
Ian has a Blue Peter job to do, the navigation light at the front has fallen off, heavens know how. Nothing like a bit of silver foil, gaffer tape and a plastic water bottle to make emergency repair. And yes, amazingly, it works!
The Scilly’s island came into view this morning, great sight, we are nearly there!
The last 24 hours are always the longest, but at least the weather is improving. Our last night at sea is actually beautiful, with a red moon rising and loads of stars. We are still under engine as the wind as gone completely. And as the sun emerges, we are entering Plymouth, beautiful and extremely welcome sight after 23 days at sea. By 6am we are safely tied up and our thoughts turn to breakfast!
The next few days are spent clearing and cleaning the boat. It is being sold so there is loads of work to do! And plenty of celebrating too!
