Lat: 32deg. 25'
Lon: 64deg. 28'
Heading: 105 M
Speed: 7 kt
Temp: 60 F
BP: 1016
Wind: WSW 15-25 knots
Sea: 6-10 ft, following
Well, we're in it again. Rolling seas, running with the waves, no way to get comfortable but we're moving the boat.
We left Bermuda about six hours later than we intended, but Severance was in much better shape for it. Our goal for this leg: no major projects underway. While in Bermuda, we had both the headsail and mainsail repaired, fixed a regulator/alternator/charging issue, riveted the boom vang mount, replaced ceiling panels and interior trim, sealed a leaking shower, resolved our watermaker issue...fortunately, I lost our project list (it filled two pages) or I'd go on.
While in Bermuda, we did have a chance to do some snorkeling on the west coast. Spotted a couple of conch, puffer fish, parrot fish, grouper, a crab, and assorted coral and reef fish while swimming along a coastal reef on the north end of the island. We also visited the beach where my father vacationed as an 11 year-old kid and discovered there are more beautiful places than Detroit. It was neat to be there with him, visiting a memory that had a significant influence on this trip happening. Bermuda is a pretty cool place - I'd recommend sailing there.
Checking out of customs without Wiley was nearly eventful. "There are only three of you departing? But there were four of you when you arrived!" Kelly replied, "Riley said that Wiley just had to turn his paperwork in at the airport and we're all set." This isn't true. Riley, the customs official who granted us entry (I couldn't believe Kelly remembered his name), told Wiley that he needed to return his paperwork the following day.
"Oh, it's just like Riley to mess up something like that. I'll have to talk to him when he gets in. You guys are all set, have a safe passage to the Azores." Well played, Kel.
A quick call to Bermuda Radio for permission to exit the town cut, and we're off. An hour later, and it feels like we're rocking in the same seas that carried us so swiftly to Bermuda. Broad reach, fast, but we're getting tossed left and right.
The night was rough. We'd gotten soft spending a week on land, and people were having trouble sleeping. Except when I was on watch, then it was tough keeping my eyes open.
This afternoon we were radioed by a passing freighter. We discussed the weather, our destinations, the names of our vessels; small-talk, like we'd awkwardly found ourselves trapped in an elevator. As we were only a day from Bermuda, it didn't occur to me until an hour later that we could be the first vessel he's encountered after several days at sea, and he was just looking for someone new to chat with.
Today is my mother's and my grandfather's birthday. We called them from the satellite phone to wish them both a happy birthday. My mother was walking Harpo, the family dog. My grandparents had the Casses, longtime close friends, over for dinner. Life goes on while we're at sea. It's nice hearing about it.
My father, Kelly and I spent an hour or so discussing our course. There are several converging pressure systems making for some erratic wind patterns, and we're trying to pick our way through with enough wind in the right direction. But not too much wind. A nice 15-knot beam reach in a settling sea, maybe some sunshine - too much to ask for? We'll see.
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