Last night, right on Rick Shema’s schedule, it commenced to get interesting. We had a steady 30 to 35 knots, gusting higher in line squalls which occasionally blew through. The wind backed to 330 true so we sagged off towards the south from the Great Circle route to keep the pressure on the stern of the boat (we get better surfs that way and it is more comfortable). And just in case, the off watch slept with the double bunk belts (to hold us in place should an errant wave connect).

With an opposing current the seas became quite steep. What we really wanted were stretched out waves to give us long rides. As it was, we had to content ourselves with the occasional brief burst to eighteen knots. Been there before.

One surprising factoid from last night was the spray pattern. With those steep seas at 150 to 160 degrees off our course, and occasional sets from the beam, we would expect to have a bit of spray onboard. However, the port (windward) house windows are almost clear today. Only a few spots here and there to indicate salt spray.

By early morning the barometer had started to rise, the breeze rapidly dropped off, and we resumed our Great Circle course. Weather is forecast to stay much the same for the next eighteen hours, and then become interesting again. But by then we should be peacefully at anchor.

We have been meaning to mention the ship traffic in this part of the world. We expected to see little if any traffic but during the first three days we had five ships cross our path, four of which were uncomfortably close (all heading to or away from Scandinavia or Russia). The ships seemed oblivious to our presence, and did not answer when we hailed them by name. Maybe the watch was doing something other than watching? Further confirmation, as if we needed it, that we have to keep our eyes open.

Present conditions are bucolic. Almost calm seas, light wind from astern, balmy temperature (by our new standards), cumulous clouds with patches of blue showing between. Add in lots of seabirds, a pod of porpoise periodically, and the North Atlantic does not seem so…Hold on, we are not going to make stupid comments to tempt any of the many deities in this part of the world!

If things stay as they are forecast, we might be in Gandore, Ireland for lunch on Friday.