The Night of December 2-3, 2023
Under the Wingaker into a Calm Night
The whole night we sailed peacefully and comfortably under the Wingaker. This allowed us to sleep soundly without the disruptive noise of the engines. The favorable wind conditions permitted us to keep the downwind sail up even at night.
Shortly after the start of my night watch, the silence was interrupted. Although no squalls were visible on the radar, several lightning flashes flickered on the horizon. These flashes, while bright and intimidating, were fortunately far ahead of us, posing no immediate threat. Nature once again demonstrated its impressive power and beauty, reminding us never to lose our respect for it.
To ensure our AIS system was functioning properly, I made radio contact with a nearby German catamaran, also an ARC participant. The exchange was reassuring and a nice change in the middle of the night. Sailing truly connects people in a special way.
Now I could relax and use my night watch for something special, as my son Nicolas was celebrating his 20th birthday. I wrapped gifts and lovingly decorated his birthday table. Everything had to be perfect when Nicolas woke up at 6 AM to take over my watch. This day promised to be very special, and I wanted to be prepared to surprise Nicolas and celebrate his birthday in the middle of the ocean.
Congratulations, Gifts, and Philosophizing About the Future
Our journey towards St. Lucia continues steadily. We are now one of the boats taking a more southerly route. Only two other ships are further south, which hopefully promises good sailing conditions for us.
Peter continues to take responsibility for weather assessment. He studies the daily ARC information and downloads the latest weather reports from “Predict Wind.” For the area we are currently traversing, there are warnings about possible squalls, even squall sequences, especially for today, as well as December 4 and 5. So, we are prepared and remain vigilant.
But today we were lucky with the weather. We only brushed past a small squall and were caught in a brief rain shower. Peter joked, “Grab the scrubbers and clean the boat.” The rain was short but intense enough to wash away all the salt crystals and leave everything sparkling clean.
The day was all about celebrating Nicolas’ 20th birthday. The birthday celebration at sea had its own unique charm. Nicolas was truly delighted when he started his watch at 6 AM. But I went to sleep first, and the rest of the crew wasn’t up until around 11 AM.
When everyone was finally on deck, we sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed a delightful breakfast together—fried eggs with bacon on toast with tomatoes and leek, accompanied by a fruit composition. Later, there were more congratulations, gifts, and a delicious birthday cake, plenty of family time, and lovely conversations while we ate and indulged. We shared stories about the past and talked about future plans. It’s always interesting what these conversations bring to light.
For example, Anna repeatedly asked, “What will we do after our sailing adventure? What would you wish for?” This got us all thinking. We must all admit that the way we live on board currently excites and inspires us. We are curious to see how our feelings and experiences will evolve in the coming months and what decisions we will make. One thing is certain, it won’t be easy.
Before the night, we took down the Wingaker as the wind picked up significantly, and we continued sailing with the jib to be prepared for any potential storms. Safety is our top priority.
It was an unforgettable day that showed that special occasions must be celebrated even in the vastness of the ocean, and in a very special way.
Culinary Delights Day 14
- Breakfast: Fried eggs with toast, tomatoes, and leek
- Lunch: Breaded Mahi Mahi with beet salad and ginger
- Afternoon: Lemon cheesecake and brownie delight
- Dinner: Filet steak with oven vegetables, just as the birthday boy wished
Marvellous, and I am sure this is a birthday that all of you, especially Nicolas, will never forget.