Later, back on course, the breeze veered just enough for me to hit that 105 degree apparent sweet spot where Dinah just planes non-stop no matter how badly she is driven. As well as producing a permanent stupid grin, the result was an even wetter Barry than earlier, so I was glad I held off on pulling out a dry set of clothes.
Hooning through the waves in the pitch black I think I can see a light in the distance. AIS confims a bulk carrier heading for Europe, but not only that, my good mate Marco on British Beagle is also nearby! There followed an incredibly funny half hour chat over VHF, where Marco confirmed that all the pickled vegetable centres had unfortunately been finished, and we discussed each others adventures since we last spoke on the start line a week ago. I offered to let him come alongside and have some fruitcake, but he was worried about the 'outside assistance' rules...
Looking at the large scale chart we’re now well past half way in the Ocean part of the race. Mentally this is mile 12 in marathon terms, and it feels great.
Barry
47°11N 31°48W
Ostar competitor Barry Hurley reports from the deck of Dinah After getting cold, wet, tired, hungry, etc., etc., yesterday morning, things could only go up really. Yesterday afternoon I decided to go off piste for a bit and went free surfing with no eye for the instruments or the race for a few miles with the music blaring. How many people can say they free surfed right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in 30knts breeze and 30ft waves, after getting there all by themselves?! A memory I will carry with me forever.
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