It's extremely quiet out here this evening - just coming up on midnight. The stars are out in full force as there is no moon tonight. We're ghosting along at 5 knots DDW with very little apparent wind. The sails occasionally slat (lose shape and snap a bit when they refill) due to not quite enough wind to keep them full 100% of the time. There's a bit of a quiet rush of water every five seconds or so like small waves lazily lapping a shore. It's quite serene and beautiful. Temps are mild - comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts - no shoes, with just the tiniest bit of chill in the air. It would be hard to paint it any nicer other than with a touch more wind to avoid the slatting.
As Paddy was coming off watch, he and I had a nice discussion on sailing and the many people that have shaped long-distance sailing over time: Joshua Slocum, the original and first person to sail around the world alone, Bernard Moitessier, who opted not to win the "first around alone nonstop" competition by turning around as he neared the finish line and sailing halfway around again, and my acquaintance, John Kretschmer, who has written quite a number of books and articles.
Just got a message that Sallie is available to talk via sat phone. Gotta run.
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