Long cold session at the wheel.

Rain is continuing. Wayne has constructed a tent to shelter Mark. We're moving forward on the headsail alone, I suspect to destress the rudder. I'm down below on the settee bench just resting. Wayne insists this is what I should be doing.

Not easy for me to just sit idly by in reserve during an emergency. But this is what I have been asked to do. Following orders.

 It's not clear what's happened to the rudder.

Updated AIS status to 'Restricted Maneuverability"

The shift was cold but not too bad. That shoulder blade muscle continues to trouble me.

After a while something weird started happening with the helm I did not understand. It would wander dramatically without any feel in the helm.

My shift was over when Wayne relieved me. He had made dinner for me which was waiting below. Mark sat with me and we chatted for a bit. He suggested I take a shower. I checked on Wayne who was fine. I went to write this update when suddenly there was an unplanned jib. Before we knew it we were 180 deg around. Wayne reported he was disoriented. Nothing was making sense. Mark asked me to take the helm while he put gear on. Again I tried to articulate something was not right during my last shift. Mark took it and said it was just light. I went below to write this post when comition happened. Something is apparently wrong with the rudder ... we tried using the GoPro to look but could see nothing. We pondered stopping but are making good time so we are continuing. I need to prep because I may need to relieve Mark. It's fucking cold out.

Stressful evening.

Mark is at the helm. It is quite cold and now raining. Wayne is sitting with him to help if Mark needs anything. I've been instructed to warm up and rest up because I may be needed later. We're hesitant to stop but I fear we may not be able to control the boat is the winds really pick up.

Shit has gotten more real.

Starting my 6-8 shift. Prepping for the cold. Conditions are the calmest we've seen so far.

this is a test. this is only a test of voice recognition offline on an Android device. notably Wayne's Pixel 6 damn

"Watch for ice begs." Wayne joked.

It's cold. 🥶

Light winds and flat seas. Mark is playing with the boat getting it balancws so it tracks a straight line without input in the wheel


Sailor black magic.

Note to self: Always, always, always pack the heated scarf. I'm going to be missing it on the next three shifts.

Another dolphins sighting.

Mark has relieved Wayne. It's getting colder.

I managed to sleep for two hours.

It's really sunny. My next shift is about to start.

Wayne just relieved me. This last shift felt like it lasted forever and really took it out of me despite it being a sunny mildly wavy day. At first the winds kept changing causing me to have to man handle the boat hurting my shoulders even more. It was also quite cold. Mark reefed in the sail and then furled in the stay sail which helped a lot until the headsail sheet broke. Calmly, Mark furled in the headsail and then ran the starboard sheet to the port side and raised the sail again. That sheet is also badly frayed so I fear it will break again.

The dinghy has also lost a lot of air.

160 miles out. 3 more shifts for me to go.

Mark brought in the sails single handed without auto-helm. He tied off the wheel and then scrambled to do it all.

I was awake making myself a snack in the galley but I imagine he thought I was asleep so didn't call for me to help. (The reason I'm sleeping in the pilot house)

And just like that the wind came back. I helped Mark put the sails back up and now the engine is off.

I did manage to get at least a couple hours of sleep.

Note to self: Remember that moment right before the squall when Mark said something to the effect of "I have a feeling we're about to run into weather." and set up the sails for the squall ahead of time.

He called it within minutes as I remember it. I don't know how.

Mark spotted another group of dolphins.

Ran out of wind. Engine started.otorsailong.

I actually slept. My watch starts in 19 minutes.

I started my shift promptly at 6 o'clock in the mourning. The sun had just risen and was still low on the horizon. It was clear skies with gentle waves and a steady wind interrupted by these disquietingly large gusta that took a lot of effort to counteract.

I'm slowly getting the hang of steering the boat using less input and less effort. I shared what little I know with Wayne.

That muscle in my shoulder that has historically troubled me on motorcycle trips has locked up pretty badly. I am in quite a bit of pain. Aftwr being out there for a while my whole body aches and is quite stiff in a way I have not previously experienced. Post COVID?

Another four maybe five sessions at the helm and we should be there. 195 NM to go.

It's cold. I checked on Wayne. He's ok. Mark is up and says we are only .88milrs off course ehich is not bad.

A weird thing about this boat is there are always noises that sound like incomprehensible voices ... very strange.

Wayne says with me for a while after I relieved him. Out here on a moonless night the stars are something to behold. After a while he left to try to sleep and I started my two hour shift. Despite waves, wind, and cold it was peaceful and awe inspiring. We would only occasionally be hit by a wave as large as before.

I saw probably six shooting stars, one more dramatic than any I've seen in over a decade, and each time made a wish for someone I know who needs one. That's how I find they work. You have to wish for the benefit of someone else.

Fatigue set in and my back has cramped. Wayne relieved me just as I was getting too tired. I'm going to try to sleep in the pilothouse so I can hear if he needs something. I'm beat.

I'm about to relieve Wayne. First a quick snack.