Before we left for our sail across Atlantic trip I had so many thoughts as to what it was going to be like. Big seas, big winds, and huge skies. To my surprise, the Atlantic was actually quite calm and inviting.
Atlantic crossing day 8 – Laundry, games and chilling out on the Atlantic Ocean
Our first week is now behind us. My night watch was easy going. I spent an hour with Kenny and then 2 hours with Andrew. It’s the first time I was with Andrew.
The first week we made sure Eve and Andrew, the least experienced crew, were matched with the most experienced crew. The second week we mixed everyone up. During the watch, we used my night sky app to name stars, planets, and constellations. Kenny and I talked about random things and Andrew and I discussed the American economy. Watches go so fast with two people.
I went to bed around 2 am – climbed in with Simon and Sienna. A few hours later I heard the engine turn on. We motored south for four hours due to a complete lack of wind.
I seriously can’t believe how mild and calm our sail across Atlantic trip has been.
There are no white caps and the swell is barely noticeable. In the morning Eve did homeschooling with Sienna. I spent hours cutting up our trash and smashing it into a plastic bottle.
We did 5 loads of laundry – clothes and all our sheets.
Simon made fresh fish fingers and they were excellent (Mahimahi dipped in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs and Britican Galley Seafood Blend) and I helped him out by making a chickpea, red onion, celery, balsamic vinegar, oil, and one of my spice blends.
We all ate in the cockpit amongst laundry hanging everywhere.
Four of us played Rummikub and then started playing Euchre (card game). I was tempted to miss my seasickness pills due to the calm conditions but decided against it. I just don’t want to be unwell. That being noted today seemed to be the first day that our sail across Atlantic dragged for me. I didn’t feel bored but I didn’t feel lively either.
Some of the crew took naps and for quite a chunk of the day so the boat was quiet.
Eve gave Sienna a mud mask with cucumber eyes and the pair giggled quite a bit. I’m so thankful for others helping me with Sienna. Right now there are four people in the saloon watching Harry Potter. Murray is cooking dinner – roast chicken, Brussel sprouts, stuffing, and potatoes.
We are eating so well!
No fish yet today – we didn’t put the lines in until a couple of hours ago (around 3 pm). I managed to read a bit of two completely different books – Dove and a Sam Harris book.
I have seen a few birds off and on all day. Sailboat Tantrum appeared on our horizon and called us over VHF. We had a good chat and shared some laughs about the lack of wind and our strategy on getting to St Lucia. Simon shared that our compass was off at the beginning and we initially were headed to Africa! We’ve been averaging about 3 to 4 knots all day – we have the gennaker and genoa poled out. Everything is very slow.
When getting the weather I got an email from my mom – that made me smile.
I just moved from the cockpit forward to the starboard foredeck with my beanbag. The sun is dropping (it’s 5:15 pm but who knows if it’s really 5:15 pm – we’re guessing on what time zone we’re in) and I’m partially shielded from the rays by the sails.
Today was HOT – the first day we were all were perspiring.
We’re not even halfway yet so I wonder how hot it will get. I love sitting on the foredeck. I’m alone with the sounds and sights of Britican and the sea. It’s pure bliss. There’s nothing to do, nothing to think, and nothing to be. I simply am.
Dinner was excellent – a lovely roast on a Sunday.
We had quite a few laughs about what others do when we wake them for their night watch. Kenny jumps up as if someone is about to tackle him (he has older brothers), Murray puts his head up quickly and yells ‘okay – I’m up’ and apparently Eve has to call my name 15+ times and rock my leg to get me up.
We laughed through dinner. I then put a movie on and Andrew and Sienna watched it – Chronicles of Narnia. The next I new Kenny woke me up saying, ‘I let you sleep – you only have an hour shift to do with Andrew.’ I was very thankful. I did my hour shift and then went back to bed.
Grab a copy of my book ‘Changing Lifestyles – Trading in the Rat Race for a sail around the world!‘ You can find this post about our sail across Atlantic trip and many more like it in the book.
What’s Next in our Sail Across Atlantic trip guide?
- In the next article, I discuss fishing, food, a disaster with our gennaker, and worse – a disaster for me. Read on to discover what day nine of our Atlantic Crossing was like: Atlantic Passage Sailing.
- In the previous article, find how it feels to sail for one full week. Did I miss land? Was life difficult? Read on to find out how life felt aboard Britican after one week of being at sea: Ocean Sailing.
- Click here for a general overview of our Atlantic Crossing
