Log May 13- Whales! on PNN

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Log May 13- Whales!

Posted by donna Posted on: 05/14/07

Log May 13- Whales!

Stories: I can't go on without sharing the amazing events of yesterday and this morn.

Knowing that there was this turn of wind coming, I was believing strongly for all blessings to get across the gulf stream and I attracted just that. It is a miracle to me as in only 5-10kn of wind, later with only a small jib and main, on a nearly becalmed flat sea, the warmth of the stream creating a balmy effect, rain falling, as one squall line went to another. I was on deck all day, raising and lowering the main. About halfway across the stream, I was already blessed as the wind direction was holding to allow me to maintain a good angle to the stream to get the fastest, most efficient crossing.

I maintained a point which gave me a north course at maximum speed. But little could I have imagined that the speed would be 7-9kn even reaching 10 at times. Not 'with' the stream but cutting across. The years of kayaking came to my aid again. Keel and I had done a delivery where we ended up without engine crossing the stream into the chesapeake with no wind at all. We managed to ferry the stream perfectly, losing only a few miles to being swept along, but instead, slipping across the stream on her own energy.

Well, let me tell you. I was doing some fancy slipping yesterday. It was surreal as the boat felt like it was floating, but at 8kn!! At one point the winds did lull and my genny was flapping so that I was concerned it would tear, so I furled it in. The furling felt strange but she came in. There was resistance. As the wind came up again, I let the genny out. As I went to sheet it in, I realized something was wrong. The forestay had pulled out from the end fitting stay-lock.

With the trouble I had been having with the furler, which I thought I had worked around, I had at times been twisting the wire instead of the fitting turning which had gradually pulled the wires of the stay right out of the stay-lock holding it to the mast. I dashed to get the main down. I had the inner forestay attached and all was holding the mast fine, plus there was little wind. But the genny was flapping. It was a bit to let down the sail when the stay was coming with it but finally the sail was on the deck, the forestay laying in the water.

My first idea was to haul the stay back up with the fitting. It was a wrong concept. I hadn't tought it through that the fitting would just come off the top. But I didn't find out the hard way. Instead I was unable to haul it back up. I finally went to plan B and would use the jib halyard as the forestay and run the jib loose lufted, unattached to the stay.

Within 15 minutes the halyard was secure. I would run my smallest jib as I knew there was weather coming. I would purpose to keep the stress down. The sail was the heavy small jib I had rarely used. Wishing I had a staysail still, but all good. It was an hour before I had the genny stowed and the jib flying. we were back up to 7-9kn in no time. Miracles. And soon enough the water temperature and air temperature dropped, just after sunset.

Glory and huge sighs, we were through the stream, for the most part. The winds shifted and I needed to tack the jib which meant pulling it down as the spinnaker halyard used needs to be repositioned to tack too. Winds are light to near calm.

I am walking to the foredeck when I hear a huge 'blow'. It startles me in the dark as I can not see anything. Another 'blow and surfacing'. It was too much to be a dolphin I thought but assumed it to be. Or the pilot whales I had seen earlier. I strained to see them in the dark as they first blew on the port and then the starboard. As I finished my tasks and got us up and sailing, the occurance of sounds stopped. The night went well, holding some kind of point to keep progress happening.

The stream was still helping me along as it nudged my COG NNW even though I was pointing west or WSW. I was up and checking the sails all night. It was so foggy, I was wishing I could get the radar reflector up but lacked another halyard. The topping lift to the jib pole finally came to mind and I had the reflector hanging in no time. Now I could go below and rest.

At least I had some chance of being seen by radar in the fog. The dawn came. I ate my breakfast first off. There it was again, the ''blow and surfacing". I dashed to the companionway and through open the hatch. I was just in time to see this massive dark creature emerge from the sea along side, not 20' from my port rail. My god!!! I was just in awe.

My first reaction was fear as the tales of whales injury boats were in my memory, but I didn't even entertain it for a moment. It was the most amazing privilege to be so close to this magnificent animal so kindred in heart to me. I focused on sharing love, awe, marvel. I centered myself in peace as one after another whales surfaced, startling with the sudden 'blow' and then rolling up and down into the water.

Their white underside of their head began to become visible under the water to me and I could see the disturbances in the water as other whales swam just below the surface. One whale seemed to be smaller but most were as long as my boat. I was amidst a whole pod which were playing along side my bow like dolphins do, eccept so slowly and so huge. I never let a thought other than peace and honor fill me. I was on deck for hours as I could not leave them. It was the wind that beckoned me to work. It was nearly 1200UTC.

Sorry to be late with my log, but it was amazing!!! I have dreamed of such an encounter all my life. I can almost see the first storm as a way to stall my return until the whales could be here. I have to say though that I sang to the whales instead of playing my whistle, somehow the unknown of how they would repsond was enough to cause me to settle with singing. My voice is peaceful, it was so serene. I went to work as the wind had picked up.

I am just believing for a perfect balance with the sail I have flying and the winds. If the wind gets a bit much, I can hove -to, backing the jib. It will work fine. In fact I found that backing the jib was a great way to bring it to the deck when I need to bring it down as well. Always learning something new. Yes, the next few days are to be filled with plenty of wind, but I'll make progress or hove to and rest. By Wednesday eve I'll be in Bristol.

Forecast: I am trusting for NE winds through today turning West and then SW over Monday and Tuesday into Wednesday and home. I can see me now, arriving to a warm welcome from those who wish to be there. My daughter Kristy to greet me, Ptarmi, my mom, whoever can be there. It would be great to see Halsey Herreshoff and others from the town. My wonderful friend Angie and her lovely daughter Lilly, visiting from NZ, waiting with outstretched arms. Tina, Corky, Paul, the BRistol gang...Maybe Greg and Rosemary, Gary, musicians, Mike Martel, email acquaintences. I'll try to keep the site as updated as possible and come in after work hours, haha.

Conditions: Temp 60*, 68* below. The stove works great to keep it warm below. It is a marvel to be able to stay below once more and let the wind and rain rage above. My Anam Cara, the Cape Horn is back!!! Barometer is really quite steady at 1006. All good.

I have been practicing using only positive expressions revealing what I want instead of confessing any negativity or doubt. I was surprised to find out how often I use a double negative, even to express something 'kind of positive'. like 'No Fear". Just using the 'fear word' can inhibit the peace I seek. I even found that my use of 'Never Never Never Give up Caring' is a double negative 3 x's, plus confesses the idea of giving up, absurd! So I am going to revamp it. 'Biggest Hugs' and loves to all, your presence and encouragement is here with me in the 'blow' of the whales. xoxoxoxoxo d

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