1200 on 31/3/2009 In position 13:21.59N, 056:26.62W
AJAYA'S CRUISE
Phil & Nikki Hoskins
Tue 31 Mar 2009 18:55
|
All ok onboard. 109 miles run yesterday - less than
200 to go, all being well we should be in Barbados Thurs a.m. Only notable event
in last 24 hours being the skipper having a Tern on deck just after dark. It was
a Little Tern according to the wildlife book we carry although we couldn't get
near enough to measure its actual length to ensure it qualified as a 'Little'
variety as opposed to young specimen of any other larger Tern variety.
Ornithology not being one of skip's strong subjects. (Definitely not an Artic
Tern though for what were felt to be obvious reasons). After numerous
reconnaissance flypasts to pick an ideal landing site - goodness knows we have
enough deck area for a whole breeding colony of Little Terns and most
other types of Tern as well, the stupid bird tried to land on our thin
guard wires on the stern access steps. As well as not being suitable for a
webbed footed landing -it was also perilously close to our wind turbine, with
Skip thinking that after a flying fish in the lap the previous night he
would be scooping up pieces of chopped Tern off the deck the next. A tense few
moments waiting for the splat followed by feathers fluttering all
around were ended when the bird, realising that webbed feet and thin
wire indeed aren't compatible with each other decided to undertake another
couple of fly pasts until it finally earmarked a suitable landing spot - on
one of our pristine new white life rings, where it subsequently emptied
the contents of its 'holding tank' prior to indulging in a spot of preening
before finally settling down to enjoy the night air and sea views. It was
difficult to see if it was still there in the dark so that a suitable pictorial
record could be captured for the Atlantic album, so a carefully aimed torch up
to the bimini underside gave just enough light to reveal our guest was indeed
still with us Out came the camera - FLASH ! Well It tolerated
having its picture taken - although it probably couldn't see to fly for a few
minutes after the flash went off, but the starting of the starboard engine to
charge the batteries was more than it could stand and its tenure on the life
ring came to an end. Skip was then able to get on with his watch without
tip-toeing around the cockpit to avoid unnerving our guest. Bit of a mess on the
life rings to clear up this morning. Maybe it will be somebody else's Tern for a
visit today! - Sorry, too long at sea.
|