Antigua to Portsmouth Day 5: Dolphin Whisperers in the Galley

In today’s blog, singing in the galley leads to a dolphin sighting. Were they called to the boat?

Monday 14 January 2019

We awoke to calm conditions after a slightly bumpier, wet and much colder night than we’ve been used to so far. This morning the wind had turned and we have had smoother sailing conditions in the direction we need to go. The current ETA for Horta, Azores is now the 21st Jan.

Last night at around 9.00pm very ominous looking dark grey shadowy clouds appeared ahead in the dark blotting out all the wonderful star cover. These water laden clouds brought with them gusting winds of around 26 knots and buckets of rainfall. With little to set the course ahead on and with the changing direction of the wind helming for the inexperienced was a little difficult and some pirouettes were necessary following a few accidental tacks and jibes, all part of the learning curve.

We have gone much further north and the shorts and t-shirts are no longer standard wear on deck. It’s slightly ominous knowing that it’s only getting colder and wetter from here on in. However, the sea continues to be a wonderful blue colour, as does the sky.

Dolphin Whispers from the Galley

Exercising the larynx was the entertainment of the day in the galley for Gary & Chris, we’d like to think the tunes and angelic singing was responsible for bringing in the young dolphins which buzzed us today, swimming ahead of the boat until they got bored or an earache. A great photo opportunity and our best visitors so far.

Night sailing continues to bring the joy of phosphorescence in the sea and stars falling from the sky. We are all learning our constellations and can speedily locate Polaris. Days and nights blur as watches rotate every 9 hours. When not on deck the bunk bed is the next most popular location on board. Congregations in the galley tend to be limited to meal times and very occasional. Card games.

Too much time staring at stars leads to reflection on the past and plans for the future. I think we will all return a little more philosophical.

On a personal note after 12 days away I am certainly missing my partner and family and am sure this sentiment is shared by all on board – but being men we would never admit to this.

We hit 1000 miles sailed today with just over 1300 miles left to go until we reach The Azores – and then about another 1700 miles to Portsmouth. It’s a little scary to think the closest human beings to us are in the International Space Station that passes over us quite regularly.

Chris, Gary & Bjorn

You can read more blogs from this voyage or other Atlantic Sailing Adventures here

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More blogs about this Atlantic Adventure can be read here: Portsmouth to Gran Canaria