Location: Soper's Hole, Tortola
Hello, dear readers,
Today, we started our morning with breakfast right on time, which consisted of bacon, eggs fried and scrambled, honeydew melon, peanut butter, Nutella, marmite, or what-have-you sandwiches. Charley disapproved of Dan’s peanut butter AND marmite combo. Then we went through the plan for all we had to do as we prepared to leave for passage on the 26th! I got to run around with a clipboard assigning people tasks to get Vela prepared for going underway as we were leaving Salt Island for West End of Tortola in order to gather supplies the following day. We needed to make sure everything below deck was 40/40, meaning if the boat keels 40 degrees over or if we hit 40 knots of wind, everything was safely tucked away and would not fall on our heads. Above deck, we checked Vela was functioning properly and in ship shape before we raised the sails to head toward West End.
We managed to get four sails up for the first time, and it was a truly beautiful sight. We sailed at around 6 knots and practiced a couple of tacks as well. Vela took to the wind like she was made for it, which, of course, she was. After a glorious sail, we decided to take the sails down to avoid a squall coming our way. Our crew worked very well, doing a multitude of difficult tasks despite the wet weather. A few of us really enjoyed untying, raising, lowering, and tying down the jib on the bowsprit between the ocean and the air.
Some of us enjoyed relaxing in the salon together, working on upcoming assignments, and finishing the last steps to getting our Advanced Open Water certification. Or napped away the seasickness. We then dealt with our load of trash from the past week and a half and took much-needed ocean showers afterward with lots of flips into the water.
We then enjoyed a meal (chicken parm) with the beloved Jim Stoll, the founder, and Mike Meighan, one of Seamester’s directors. It was really entertaining to hear their stories and learn from them. Jim even taught us a coveted knot that’s strong enough to pull ships but can be undone with a fingernail. Wow.
A brief message:
Runyon says hello to his parents: ” I miss you guys! I hope everything is well in Raleighwood. I love you guys!”
(beautiful Vela photos also from Runyon)
And from me, hello to my dear family and friends. I can’t wait to tell you about my adventures when I return home. Love you,
Nora
So goodnight, and wish us a good last day on land tomorrow!