Oops so we kind of overslept, all of us. No 4 am starts here, so I’m not complaining. Finally, we were going to Brest. It was a nice sunny day, so a good start. Now, time to sail! Let’s see what this baby can do.Wow, a max speed of 3.5 knots. I think I can swim faster than that! Hmmm. So finally the wind picked up and with the addition of the mizzen sail we were averaging 4.5 knots – much, much better. Later in the evening, or morning, depending on which way you look at 2am- we were really going as I hit a new high of 6.8knots. Well, at least we were sailing and it felt good. Really good, and very empowering. Being one with the sea, the stars and the night. Then you see it. At first I just though, okay a big container ship, but after a line of mast head lights, spaced at ½ hour intervals, one could only surmise it was the ferries from France to England. No worries, as they were on completely another tack, far away from us. After that, I just relaxed into night…..
The morning however was different. Brian’s shift started at 5 am and quick looks around showed 5 freighters close by. We were in the middle of the shipping lanes. It felt like crossing the freeway on a tricycle. Several ships didn’t see us until Brian shined a flashlight on the mainsail. My shift started at 7am and I took over after Brian. My first questions was “why is there a dock to our stern?” It was just another close passage of a tanker, but at least it was light now. The wind had died down so much we were barely moving. Not good since no speed = no helm control. I lost it and started doing donuts in the middle of the English Channel. At first I thought there were multiple tankers, but then realized, no, it was me and I was doing circles. The tanker ship coming up my starboard side must have thought I was crazy as he took an extra wide berth around us. Brian tried desperately to tack us but the maneuver failed. Richard was called in and the engines were started! A motor sailing we would go…
