We have been motor sailing south for several days now and are east of the coast of Labrador, the home of the North Atlantic low pressure systems that move east to the UK. Luckily for us, we are in a high and yesterday, for the first time in a week, we had blue skies! Meanwhile, we have continued to have numerous fin whale spottings as they migrate north.
This is great for moral. People are coming on deck to experience this novel weather and we actually had visitors on the bridge during our 4 pm to 6 pm early dog watch. The 25 knot winds and 8.5 degree C temperatures seeming warm.
Our big problem now is how the ice along the Labrador coast will effect our course. We'd love to be able to slip between Labrador and New Brunswick and save several days thereby having the time to visit either St. Johns or one of the small French Islands just to the east of New Brunswick, but the current ice report in this year of record ice shows one iceberg per square mile for 250 miles southeast of New Brunswick, just where we would like to sail. If this holds we will have to sail south of New Brunswick, about an extra 500 nautical miles, which could take 3 to 4 days.
The murder game continues. I was knocked off by Tom, a bosun's mate and a friend of mine when he asked me to hold a bucket while we were standing at the port foremast sheet.
While we are motor sailing night watches have been reduced to 3 or 4 crew members and last night was my turn to sleep. Yes!
I've been asked by several British crew members what I plan to do for the 4th tomorrow. I've told them that, short of getting ahold of the flare gun for an hour, not very much. They have suggested playing Jimmy Hendrix's version of the Star Spangled Banner, but I'm leaning towards the US Blues by the Grateful Dead.
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