The life onboard definitely has its own rhythm. Three hours on watch, three hours off – it leads to a lot of solitude, strange sleep patterns (waking up at odd hours seems to be the norm!), and a constant awareness of what's going on around the boat. High-stress situations can pop up unexpectedly, but thankfully, they're usually interspersed with stretches of peaceful calm. Napping whenever possible becomes an essential skill, and household chores find their way onto the agenda even in the middle of the ocean. On a new boat, especially one that hasn't been fully tested yet, keeping an ear and an eye on the mechanical and electrical systems becomes an additional, ever-present responsibility.
The wind situation remains unchanged. We've decided to make a beeline for Trinidad, opting to motor directly there rather than risk staying in what feels like a bullseye. The internet, while a fantastic tool for weather forecasts, current checks, and tracking, can also be a double-edged sword. One minute you're checking forecasts, the next you're down a rabbit hole of searches for "unforecasted hurricane history," "average time between hurricanes," and, of course, the ever-present "hurricanes near me." While the information can be valuable, it's easy to get sucked into a vortex of worry. We'll focus on the positive – the reassuring green glow on the weather maps and the steady hum of the engine as we make good progress towards our destination.
Speaking of focus, I've become so accustomed to being woken at intervals by my watch alarm that turning it off immediately is now second nature. This has led to an interesting situation – if I wake up during my off-watch period, my conditioned response is to assume the alarm went off and I silenced it. The next thing I know, I'm out of bed and dressed, only to find Craig in the cockpit looking very surprised to see me. There I am, not quite bright-eyed nor bushy-tailed, ready for watch duty at 1.30am... 90 minutes early! Guess the rhythm of the ocean has me dancing to its own tune, even during sleep.
Upcoming updates to include the engine's purr, the calming green expanse on the weather charts, and the occasional (hopefully rare) appearance of the "phantom watch alarm."
We had a couple of sunny days but are now back into the not quite so tropical clouds we seem to attract.
