Sailing and Sea Legs

I have really enjoyed this whole sail. As time progressed, it kept getting better and better on the open seas. As we left Blyth there was the initial thrill of actually sailing. And then, the idea became a reality that I hadn’t yet grown my sea legs. I only had sea stumps. This became more interesting after leaving the Netherlands and sailing through the Bay of Biscay. I alluded that we hit some rough waters, but didn’t want to exaggerate anything.

Well, after the storm had passed, some information was shared with us that I felt would be worth passing along. We experienced “force 10 winds (55-63mph storm force winds with very high waves with long overhanging crests)”. I asked one of the experienced officers on duty to estimate the height of the waves. He guessed 5-7 meters. Also, our ship rocked aggressively from side to side because the waves were not hitting us straight on. We maxed out our roll from side to side at a whopping 27 degrees. (And this was before it shot across and rolled this far to the other side!) But sailing was not always this rough.

After the storm, the waters became still, the sun came out, and it became toasty out. And it has continued to get hotter and hotter ever since. I guess that the creatures in the ocean like it, because they keep coming out. I have seen lots of floating jellyfish by day, and glowing jellyfish at night. As our ship comes on them, they panic and try to scare us off by lighting up. As pretty as it is, it doesn’t work. They get even brighter as they are launched into the air by the water off the bow! I have also watched dolphins playing by the front of the vessel and splashing around, porpoises leaping out of the water, into the air, and landing on their sides, and three whales cruising along. It sent chills down my spine at first when I saw the dorsal fins flopping around in the water. I thought they were sharks. They sent puffs of mist up as they breathed. It looked like a the midst that comes out of a super soaker when it is out of water, only much more so. It sounds about the same too. And last but not least: flying fish. They also are startled when our ship bears down on them (I sure would be) so they get up speed and leap up out of the water and fly away like a paper airplanes. Some are little three or four inch ones. Others are probably about a foot long. Some are off by themselves. Others are in schools of ten or more. They are impressive.

I have enjoyed sailing and will miss the beauty of the open seas. After two weeks of it, I really don’t even notice the rocking any more, however gentle or rough it is. The problem will now be to make the land stop moving when I am firmly planted on it. I guess I have grown my sea legs after all.