Mate's Log - July 20, 2001

Position: 63-10N 26-35W

Today was gray with strong winds at 15-20 knots all day. We sailed on a track of about 15-20 degrees with the wind about 40 degrees off the bow. Our desired course was more like 40-45 degrees. George kept noticing how our course would change ever so slightly as we moved around the boat, and for a awhile, we stayed on the same side trying to get the course to maintain itself in the 30 degree range. We were well heeled all day.

When we sail like this my body gets tired and just doesn't feel 100 percent. George, however, loves it. I spent most of the day propped in my chair trying to read feeling very envious of George for his great energy. I know I do countless other things on the boat that make me a good team player, but I wish I was a better sailor so we could share his love of optimizing Hannah Brown's sailing capacity in the high winds and seas.

During the day, George brought up the topic of how we will spend winter. He was wondering if any of our friends in Paris would be traveling and willing to rent their apartment to us for a month in the spring "because it might be fun to be moving around". Meanwhile, I went to bed looking forward to landfall so we could "stop moving". We were on Iceland's outer banks, about 150 miles from shore, and fishing boats were starting to appear. I wanted a good night's sleep so I would be able to keep an extra diligent watch with all the boats around. From my sea birth, I felt George enjoying his shift. He was a rodeo cowboy riding Hannah Brown like a bucking bronco.

At one point in my restless sleep, I was certain I heard voices, but decided I must be dreaming. Later, when George roused me, I discovered that as I slept, an inflatable dingy with four fishermen had come to welcome us to Iceland. They brought with them a bag of half a dozen fresh frozen halibuts. WHAT A TREAT! I started this watch off with a large skillet full of new potatoes and a piece of fish that barely fit in the pan. Never did I know a fish could taste SOOO good! I seem to be one of the luckiest people in the world, for whenever I get a little down, something happens to turn everything around. Two rough days at sea out of 20 is pretty good odds, and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else in the world. The unexpected generosity of people is just one of the many rewards of this life; its joys far outweigh my personal discomforts.

Presently at 03:00 July 20, we are 123 miles from our Iceland way point, with another 23 miles to get into the harbor. At one point we are worried about running out of fuel, but yesterday we passed that hurdle. no severe weather if forecast for the next couple days. We expect to make landfall over the weekend.

Holly

Captain's Log - July 20