Getting into the Routine -2nd January 2024
We were now into shift mode with 2 on each shift. There are 3 four-hour shifts between 8.00am and 8.00pm and 4 three-hour shifts between 8.00pm and 8.00am. It always takes a bit of time to get into this routine and it is quite tiring for the first few days as you are either on shift, sleeping or eating or socialising in the cockpit. Robbie and I had taken the first shift from 4.00pm the previous day which meant we had what we call the red eye slot 2.00am to 5.00am and then we were on at 12.00noon. Mark and Ian follow us in the shift pattern followed by Keith and Peter.
We always have an evening meal together where we can all chat and if there are any moans we get them out in the open and resolve them. In respect of breakfast and lunch we tend to help ourselves, although frequently others prepare for whoever is around. The 8.00am shift is responsible for the daily checks on the boat of which there is quite an extensive checklist. The aim is to identify any issues early so you can deal with them before any breakages occur. In particular we are looking out for what we call chafe (things rubbing together and wearing through) which is very common on long passages unless you spot it early. This shift is also responsible for cleaning the common parts of the boat with each crew member responsible for their own cabin and heads (toilet).
We were heading parallel to the African coast down toward Cape Verde by engine doing some 7-8kts. In fact we had been motoring since we left. We checked the wind and we were not due any wind until about 9.30pm. The day passed peacefully with flat calm sunny conditions so we could relax, read, listen to music and chat away. There were cargo ships around but no other yachts and saw nothing on our watches. However through our AIS system we could see the cargo ships and none of them were an issue for us.
However we did see a Portuguese Man of War (a jelly fish which has a sort of sail), dolphins, tuna jumping and activity in the water which indicated fish and prey activity. We had two rods out but due to our speed the fish (we assume) that came on our lines were so big that they broke both lines.
As the sun went down Mark had cooked a delicious sausage and mash stew with red cabbage which was delicious. For dessert we were rewarded with the wind picking up a bit (from 2-3 kts to 9kts) so we put up the sails and started to sail. It felt so good to turn off the engine and to feel the sail motion riding over the long ocean waves. Although we were doing only about 6 kts it did not matter. We were a working crew and on way.