| I was just trying to get out of my bunk when all
hell broke loose. The boat listed badly to starboard and water gushed into the
small kitchen window. Turning the water to steam as it doused the gas stove
where the morning coffee was brewing. Captain jumped in slammed the window shut
and scurried out onto the deck. I could hear heavy footsteps join him on the
deck as the sails were battered in the wind. I was as if glued to my bunk by
the listing boat. We were hit by a Squall that pulled at the jib sail so hard
that it snapped the boom in two. Just like that - out of nowhere. Everybody's
faces were drooping. I asked Goltis: "Is this a disaster?" upon which he
replied: "Yes, this is a disaster". Anatoli just shrugged it off and said: "Now
maybe three weeks becomes four weeks. Plenty of potato left - they not eat
anyway". We will have to repair it in the Dominician Republic.
Still no sign of any ships on the horizon. Anatoli is trying to prepare
lunch in the swaying ship. Goltis did not sleep well and he is looking weary.
Constantin is the same in his cheerful nature and it appears that Andriy is not
leaving his cabin bunk today. All reports fatigue as their blood pressures and
blood sugar levels remains low. I am still amazed by their willpower as there
often lies a piece of leftover green pepper or chocolate within an arms reach.
But they persevere and there is no change of plans in the air. It will be the
full 40 days.
Dark clouds caught up to us in the late afternoon. This is a big part of
the survival journey - right here in the middle. As the team survives it day by
day they do not show me any sign that they are struggling with this fast that
they have laid upon themselves. The monotony of now the danger. I can also feel
it now. I am thinking of a soft mattress, and restful sleep. Neptune
is tormenting us with a constant
arrhythmic swell and the "Passat wind" blows us west on our now crippled sails. |
