We're definitely in the trade winds. Sailing conditions continue to be
about as good as you could ask for, with steady winds -- not too light, not
too strong, not changing direction -- and pretty mild seas. It doesn't make
for the most challenging sailing, but it's fast and fairly easy. You can
see how, back in the age of sail, this would have been your express global
shipping option.
It's also cooled off a bit. Still a bit warm below, but we've been able to
open a few hatches, which has helped. And on deck, I was actually slightly
chilly as I lay in the shade of the lowered Yankee 1, trying to get some
sleep during my off-watch this afternoon.
I've been helming a fair amount, including night helming under spinnaker
the past two nights. Just continuing to increase the degree of difficulty,
as the kite requires a smooth hand on the helm and night offers fewer
visual cues as to what the boat is doing, but it's all getting more
instinctive with practice, and I've been getting some good feedback from
the more experienced guys.
We finally had our equator crossing ceremony today with a visit from King
Neptune, a kangaroo court, and some atonement. I think we got off a bit
easy. Being over 1000 nm north of the equator and I don't even know how
many days past crossing took the edge of a bit, but it's still cool to have
been a part of what is really an ancient, global maritime tradition. I was
charged with Crimes Against Fashion (thanks again for the shirt Chloe,
Nicky, Ella, and Jake!), and had to atone with some entertainment. I went
with a joke. "And old Scottish guy and a young Scottish guy are sitting at
a bar together...." I can say with complete confidence that it was the best
joke told on the day, though it wasn't as well received as Judith's can-
can/splits routine.
Also saw our first dolphins of the trip shortly after. A small pod, maybe
20-30, stayed with us for about ten minutes. Always fun to have those guys
alongside for a while.
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