This is just an extract, read Anna’s full story including photos here: South Atlantic Reflections Part 1 – From Cape Town to St. Helena

Sailing Cape Town to St. Helena

The moon had just started to become visible again, after some dark nights in the middle of the moon cycle. At the time of our arrival to St Helena, she will be full. We like that a lot and if possible, we plan our departure in alignment with the moon. Seeing the moon on the nightshift is like having a friend that lights up the way for us.

We have been surprised by how few boats we have met on the oceans. On our first passage over the Northern Atlantic, I think we saw three boats, and only on the AIS. On the Pacific we met one IRL. Around Cape Town it is different, here we see a lot of cargos. Maybe that’s a sign of the importance this route has had since many hundreds of years, of shipping things all the way east to Asia.

The South Atlantic’s Golden Edge

I thought of a colleague who named her company to the Gold Edge, when I saw the sunset of tonight. I feel that we are experiencing the gold edge of existence right now. The wind has settled down, likewise the waves. We have secured the Genoa on a pole, so it is not slapping in the light wind. My husband plays guitar and I have started to write again. Life is sweet and soft. This is the fourth day on the south Atlantic Ocean. We have adjusted to the new rhythm with three hours watch, followed by three hours sleep. The body remembers and accepts.

The slower speed brings calmness on board. We fall asleep easy, catching back some sleep from the first active and adjusting nights. It’s easier to work in the pantry – we make some bread of buckwheat and chickpea flour in a pan on top of the oven, trusting it will stay still, and not becoming a projectile in a big wave.

With the peacefulness also comes more creativity. Captain plays rock’n roll on the guitar tonight as well, which rarely happens at sea, and I continue writing about my experiences of this big life shift we staged almost five years ago. I have learnt so much. I am so happy we dared to start something totally new. A theme is letting go, trusting something new and fun will come.

Anna Eriksson and Arthur Sundqvist
SY Vista
Amel Supermaramu 53 foot ketch.

Read Anna’s full story including photos here:

South Atlantic Reflections Part 1 – From Cape Town to St. Helena

Read Anna’s subsequent passage report: Atlantic Reflections Part 2:  St. Helena to Barbados

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Follow Anna and Arthur’s adventures at: wavebywave.se

Other Articles by Anna on Noonsite:

• South Africa: Checking out of Cape Town (January 2024)
• INSIGHTS: Cruising with the Moon (April 2021)
• INSIGHTS: Pacific Reflections (October 2020)

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

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