MW Ship's Log May 19, 20 - Running the Gauntlet

Captain Jim instructs swabbie on what to look for while on watch

Dateline: High Noon. Monday May 20

Status:
198 nm traversed on Day 4 of the Sao Miguel to Cascais passage. 37 nm to our destination at 10:00 AM.

Land in sight at 11:00 with the Captain at the helm.

Philine Schultz, Umm Slal, Coral Methane, Kaveri Spirit, High Force, Msc Sandra, Lavaux, Eurocargo Salerno - a few of the ships that passed within visual range as we approach Cascais. All quite large, some quite close.

 In these last 30 miles we are crossing four major shipping lanes. It's the last gauntlet before we pull into port. The end is literally in sight.

Favorable winds, blues skies, blue water, benign swells - the great conditions continued throughout most of yesterday. Single reef during the day, unreefed most of the night. Our last Happy Hour with the full crew on deck under sail. Beer. Of course.

The predicted rain did not show up until after Happy Hour. We thought the Atlantic might throw one last curveball at us - but it missed the strike zone. Instead we again have dolphins escorting us through freighters and tankers in brilliant sunshine.

This will be my last sailmail post. Should be able to switch back to internet enabled smartphone and blogger posts as we pull into port later this afternoon.

After sailing across the ocean we are about to discover The Old World. I intend to claim this land in the name Barack Obama and the Congress of the United States of America.

Breakfast:
Our last hot breakfast under sail. Chilaquiles - eggs, chips, cheese, ham and salsa. Another Comfort Food masterpiece.

Quote of the Day:
"Land Ho" - Captain Jim

P.S. Last, last Quote of the day:
"I am done (writing, blogging....)" - MW

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