WRITTEN BY BREEZY GRENIER
ON LEG ONE FROM PLYMOUTH TO AZORES WITH ROTHY’S
As we made it to the halfway point of our voyage, it has been amazing getting to know all the women. Learning about their lives and backgrounds, seeing how different all of our journeys have been, yet it still led us all to be here together, on the S.V. TravelEdge, as a band of sea sisters, in the middle of the ocean, slowly bouncing our way towards the Azores.
Photo credit: Nomad Mnemonics & eXXpedition
The night brought us more squalls, and torrential down pours. The rain gave our vessel a good freshwater wash down, including soaking the mid-watch thru to the skin. The early twilight hours gifted us a night rainbow [we don’t have Google to look up the technical name], the amazing wonders you see at sea. The morning watches started with great promise, as the seas calmed, and the clouds cleared. The warm sunshine, finally allowed everyone to dry out their foulies, and kitchen rags were hung out to dry. Some of the crew was spoiled, when the hot water was turned on, and much needed showers taken. Our bruised and battered bodies were finally able to rest, as the seas been giving us a good flogging up until now.
Photo credit: Nomad Mnemonics & eXXpedition
But that wasn’t in King Neptune’s plans, I don’t think he liked us being so clean and dry, and we were quickly reminded of the mighty power of the North Atlantic. The seas began to build, and the white caps start to form. We thought the seasickness was behind us, as the crew prepared their stomachs. With waves crashing over the bow, the salt water snuck into the ship, through every crevasse it could. S.V. TravelEdge was taking quite a beating, heeled over as far as she could go. The replacement mizzen could no longer handle it, tearing along the seam, near the top. Everyone sprung to action, securing the sail, and getting it below to repair. As the night sets, the novice sailors have quickly learned the meaning of battening down the hatches, and the importance of securing for sea. As we prepare for another long, wet and wild night of getting tossed around, we knew this would be one of the toughest legs of the expedition, but we are still incredibly honoured to be here.
Photo credit: Nomad Mnemonics & eXXpedition
The wind will always win.
