Day 50-56
Carlile Adventures
Mark Carlile
Tue 28 Nov 2006 18:39
Zooming down the South Atlantic again this week. It has been my longest distance week. 820 miles making on average 117 miles a day. This is the beauty of sailing in the trade winds.
There has been a 2m swell running at most times so it has been a bit like being on a dirt road at a hundred miles an hour. I don't mind the bumps to get the extra distance.
I've also passed one third distance passing 5000 miles in less than 60 days. I am ahead of schedule!
As well, I've also passed my most western point. From the start, my direction has been a lot of south and west. I have another week of going south before starting to turn the bow of the boat for home.
Because of the steady conditions, there hasn't been a lot to do and nothing to fix. It is like having a week off. I have been watching DVDs, listening to the BBC World service and I can now hear weather reports coming out of South Africa. I've also been doing a lot of writing.
Most days have scattered cloud and I haven't seen any wildlife this week. I saw just one container ship off in the distance. The temperatures have moderated into the mid twenties and the breeze remains pleasant.
I have no concerns on the water and food supply. One of biggest concerns before I left was trying to estimate how much toothpaste and toilet paper I might need. I am happy to report that I am not at risk of running out of either.
My hair is starting to get long. I haven't cut it yet. and I have left a beard to grow over the last 3 weeks. Mentally I feel fine.
I was asked by Rory (in Brisbane) this week what I missed most. The number one thing I miss most right now is something as simple as walking around. I do stretch my legs often but I can't go for a walk anywhere. I can fell the muscle mass wasting away in my lower limbs. I might try and use some stretch cord next week to do some resistance training on my legs.
And "missing" is probably a strong word. I don't really miss anything and live everyday as it comes. I wake up excited to see what the day will bring. I am having a great time here and I feel mentally just as strong as when I started.
Today's everyday adventure. Weekends. Are your weekends the same? Do something different you have never done before or not done for a while. It might be something like rock climbing (or bridge climb), abseilling, picnic, go karting, car rally, read a book, try a new sport, go to a market, have dinner with friends you haven't seen in a while, or go for a walk and look at around.
That's a very good evening from Ingrid midway down the South Atlantic Ocean eight weeks into the voyage.
Mark
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