The Motion of the Ocean

Sunday 28/3/10

Position: 036degs 42'91N  142degs 11'25W

Boat Time: 21:40hrs

Having spent more time on the helm this leg, in both light and heavy weather (although the light weather is now only a distant memory!), I've come to notice the different types of waves more. We have three categories: the freindly waves; the inbetweeners; and big bad bullies!

The freindly waves: the ripple - in calm conditions that tell-tale ripple on the water is the only clue that there is wind about. The gentle swell - the background motion that reminds we are still at sea whilst gently rocking us to sleep in our bunks the rollers - variable in size to steady and reliable, these waves will just keep rolling underneath you, no need for foulies!

The inbetweeners: The breakers - building up gradually behind the boat into a peak which starts to collapse in slow motion, the rush of white water gathering speed as it falls, occaisionally washing out the pushpit and the helm but usually just giving us a gentle push in the right direction. The surfers - these steep waves come charging along from behind, lift the boat up and then launch it forwards with its full force. Surfing down the face of these waves is when we achieve our fastest speeds. The tricksters - these benign looking waves just look like your average roller or surfer but a small imperfection on the face of it will cause the boat to rock and roll and veer off course, very frustrating when you've just spent the last 5 minutes bringing the boat onto a perfect heading!

The big bad bullies: The really big beasties - as you fall off the back of the last wave and look behind you, so you see the next one stacking up, its belly swelling outwards and its height reaching 2 or 3 storeys. Convinced that you'll never make it and the boat is going to pitch-pole down the face, you shut your eyes, hold your breath, and somehow you make it over the top. The sidewinders - these fickle waves are the random wanderers that break the pattern of the other sets. Approaching from a completely different angle to the rest of them, they loom over the side of the boat to come crashing down the side deck, sweeping any unsuspecting crew member with it and turning the cockpit into a swimming pool! The Matahorns - generally formed when two waves join together. The peak rises up out the ocean in a fantastic impression of the matahorn before becoming unstable and crashing over the boat, soaking everything in-sight and pouring down the compainion hatch to flood the galley and saloon - nice!

All are diffferent and somehow we manage to adapt to it all! Whether standing or sitting we are consatantly adjusting our posture to cope with the different angles...'we're going this way that way forwards and backwards over the irish sea...' - well almost!

Today we broke the 1000miles to go waypoint! This mental barrier now makes the finish seem like a reality instead of a date in the distant future which keeps getting further and further away. In roughly five days we will be back on dry land and able to enjoy the little luxuries we miss out on at sea, fresh fruit, hot showers, a steady surface to stand on! Also, I will be seeing my parents for the first time since leaving for Cape Town! They have already left and are on their way to meet us. As my time on JLB comes to a close, a real mix of emotions are running through my head. I'm excited to see Mum and Dad and to sleep in a proper bed after so long. I can't wait to wash my hair and blow dry it straight and wear it down. But at the same time I wish I was carrying on to Panama. It's been an epic 4 months on board and I really have had the time of my life! There have been ups and downs, high and lows, but at the end of the day the good times always win! xxx