The Doldrums

Introduction

04.12.08 - The lack of wind gives growing concern.

© Anne Quemere

I'm in the worst spot of the Doldrums. The wind is progressively diminishing and will all but disappear. The odd breath from the South will only push me back on my steps and I really don't want to go back there. The floating sea anchor will again be called into service to avoid too much drifting.

The coming days will probably be hard on the morale, considering that Jean-Francois has predicted a storm rising from the West. That should really make things bad and incredibly more humid! But the Doldrums are the Doldrums. If it had been paradise, I guess it would have been given a more adequate name.

So, no paradise for the moment, and I really didn't expect it. For the rest, well the future is beyond prediction. This area is close to the Equator and whether I like it or not, I'll have to cross it. I have the feeling of being at the foot of a mountain, but every mile that I claim is a step in the right direction. And, well, I'm at the "point of no return" on the Pacific and, thinking back to a year ago I couldn't even dream of being on the Departure line at San Francisco. There were other mountains that seemed insurmountable back then.

More tomorrow.  Anne.

To follow Anne's progress and route across the Pacific Ocean, please go to her route tracker at the link below: