Pacific Ocean – Southern Hemisphere 14 April 2010 07.4360S 135.5931W
Yet another very fast day, but the sailing is pretty easy, we hardly touch the lines. Silver Lining and Otto (pilot) do the lion’s share of the work (well not the dishes). All and all, I’m finding the long passage much like life with big highs and lows (in comparing notes with Cameron, it’s much like life with toddlers). Some of the highs: long periods of contemplative solitude, drawing house plans in the cockpit with the boys, scratching away at the string instruments with Logan(without having to worry about anyone overhearing), incredible night skies, discussing Scurvy the Rat’s adventures onboard, That Blue, writing you. Some of the lows: trying to unpeel eyelids glued together with sleep at midnight, trying to bake bread or wash dishes in the ever moving cabin drenched in sweat, having to go to bed when the party is getting started in the evening.
The first few days of the passage, the whole idea seemed whacked, the notion of keeping everyone happy and occupied for 20-40 days was overwhelming, and there was a feeling of urgency like we just needed to get there and fast. Then once you slip into the rhythm, everything starts to just feel right as it is – like time is going at just the right speed, and everyone seems to be balanced and happy with the state of affairs on board, and the boat seems to be behaving exactly as she should. Now as the boat has sped up, and we can see the TTG at 1-2 days I’m a mix of emotions; impatience is visiting me again, and I’m suddenly eager to get there, but there’s also that sense of not wanting to lose this. Gart’s metaphor of passage being like a good book that you can’t put down, but don’t want to end, is very apt.
xoxomo
Not sure if you will get this Margot, but here goes. I’ve been following your progress and excellent writing prowess with much nostalgia. The memories of our trip crowd in as I read your adventures. I must say that I will be surprised if you don’t feel a little saddened when you arrive that your longest voyage is over. We had 24 days between the Galapagos and Pitcairn and were all strangely depressed the night before nightfall. Of course, this was replaced by joy as Pitcairn hove into sight.
Your speeds across the nonexistent equator are quite amazing. We cursed the gods after we left the Galapagos, which prompted us to turn south for Pitcairn. We missed the Marquesas because of our lost rudder. But you know all this as you read my book!
I will continue to avidly follow your voyage.
Art Howard, Skipper of Sunraker