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Atlantic Ocean “half way celebration”- day 11 – 1211 miles to go.

Position:   20 01 13 N –  40 38 05W

Date: Wed 2^nd of December 2009

Half way there and we realize how we have taken a nice little routine the last few days, no one is complaining and everybody is happy and holding on to each and every moment of this adventure. (as well as holding on to our plates and glasses every times we eat because of the heaving of the sea)  

We are all here on board with a nice little wind pushing us to the Antilles and the sun is shining while everybody is probably under the rain in London, Brussels or Paris… one more reason to hold on to those moments.

It’s full moon and for a 2 days only we can assist to the rising sun behind us simultaneously with the moon set in front of us. No words are great enough to describe the beauty of nature in those moments.

We had the moon keeping us company for nearly the all trip, and the watch being taken in rotation every night, we all have had the occasion to see the moon go up and down, to have 3 full hours with the moon light or without moon light which make it easier to see the flying starts and to study the sky when not cloudy. Twice we had the moon rise during diner, it’s amazing! Have you ever seen a moon rise?  When going west we also had to change hours every time we sailed 15degrees west, we finally have a total of 5 hours difference with France. We also all had a few sun set early in the morning when the 3 others are still asleep. Nature is just amazing, I realized we did not watch the sun go up and down enough in the city (did you?) and how lights and pollution make it difficult to recognize the stars while leaving in a city. At sea everything is clear on the horizon. (when not cloudy – of course ).

So yes, half way!  And with champagne again and “foie gras” this time we celebrate all that! But as from now, as we are in the middle of the ocean, far from everything, we are starting to approach the other side, until now we were just getting away from the last piece of land we saw. Do we want to get on the other side? We may as well just stay here and enjoy the daily life on board swinging on the motion of the sea….

Maybe I’ve read too many books … did you btw read books OF Philippe Jeantot or Bernard Moitesier, if not I recommend them (merci Alex).