Pacific Odyssey - Leg 6

I think last night was SALTS worst night in rock´n roll history; it was so ridiculous trying to sleep in all the motion, that it was funny, sad,
tragic etc.  Nobody except for Susan slept.   The rolling was deep and hard
with all of us taking hard hits on the wooden side of our bunks; even our heads felt like they were being tossed around, it was quite something.
Before midnight there was a sense that the wind was abating although the seas remained big and the swells and the motion stayed intense.  The wind switched abaft the beam and we were able to lower the reefed foresail, raise the 2 courses and continue our passage at 6 knots.  Handling sail happened at night during Jose´s 0000-0400hr watch with everyone who was awake . . .
which was all of us.  It was very intense trying to lower the fore gaff in such a strong wind with such a big ocean swell.  Water came up over the stern and at times, the water over the rails came up to one´s knees.
Everyone remained clipped in.  Sophie and Steve were on the fore vang which controls the after end of the gaff and did a great job for the first time.
Unfortunately Steve lost his fingernail in the process, not noticing it when it happened, just seeing the damage after the sail was down; Elske found his fingernail on the deck.  Steve says the pain is minimal, it is bandaged, and Sarah is cleaning it regularly.  Steve says to tell his mom ´he is fine.´
Jordan and Liam were up to April Fools´ Day pranks, rearranging all the dishes in the galley and replacing many of them with books.  When Katie woke early to make breakfast, she found everything in a different spot; she´s a great sport and laughed at it all.  Port watch, who were on dishes ended up putting everything back in its proper place.  In the foc´sle last night we heard rumours of a tremendous pillow fight, also instigated by Jordan, but supported by many others.  Today we celebrated Liam´s 18th birthday.  We had eggs, bacon and fresh bread for breakfast, tuna pasta for lunch, and hamburgers on fresh whole wheat buns for supper . . . all choices of Liam and very good.  There is birthday cake later tonight, made by Kaitlyn, Katie, Noah, and Arwen.  When we woke up this morning we were grateful to find somewhat calmer seas and definitely calmer winds.  The temperature was warmer and we were all able to spend the most part of the day on deck, enjoying the sun and the ocean.  We all commented on the difference in temperament of the sea between yesterday and today; the sea has so many faces and there is beauty in all of them.  The ship continues to roll from side-to-side with regular deeper dips, but . . . all things are relative and conditions are more comfortable today than they were yesterday, and we´re hoping for a better night.  We are all pretty tired; I´m sure that will help.  Sarah B. taught a junior lesson on points of sail, and many trainees were studying for orals -their knots, stowage lists and terminology.  Emma is making a Turks head bracelet around her wrist.  Adam, Raven, Gabriel, and Blake made a start on their suntans, lying on the after cabin house in their shorts, and flipping over from front to back every 16 minutes.  Despite being careful, Adam still managed to sunburn.  In the afternoon we altered course and changed sail; the courses came down and the foresail, jumbo, and jib sail joined the trysail.  Later on, when the wind picked up, Sara R.
went out on the bowsprit to help lower and stow the jib sail.  Before supper Sarah B. noticed porpoises heading for our ship.  They come from far off in small groups, diving and splashing their way towards the bow; they´re beautiful, and the first mammals we´ve seen in a while.  It has been a wonderful day and our community is becoming very close; it´s a great feeling.  Sean would like to wish his mom a Happy 29th Birthday for March 31st and Susan wishes her mom a fantastic day on her birthday, also March 31st.  Happy Birthday Mom from Sean and from Susan.  This is it until tomorrow, good-night, Bonice.