11:31N 21:44W

Tales of Amok's Adventures
Mike Jones
Fri 8 Jan 2010 20:09
Today's educational nature lesson is on the spectacular flying fish. Before you think there is no such beast, let me assure you, there is. These are small silver fish about 15cm long which have wing-like fins that allow them to jump out of the ocean and fly across the surface for 20-30 metres or so before diving back in. As they fly about 15cm above the surface, they are often mistaken for birds. We sometimes find a number of them lying on the deck in the morning; a jump too far it seems. In Barbados, they fry them up and make flying fish sandwiches.

Written Before Dinner:
Toby is chef for tonight; he has decided to cook his mai mai fish for dinner (mai mai caught between las palmas and mindelo and frozen) and he has peeled a mound of potatoes for oven chips. The previous lot of fish was excellent, cooked simply with fresh tomatoes, onions and garlic. Queen says there is far too much self praise going on here.)

He thinks he's going to pan-fry these fillets, I think he's going to discover the joys of cooking on a small diesel cooker on a moving boat.

Written After Dinner:
Well, pan-fried fish indeed. It was excellent. I bow to his better judgment (on this one occasion). We roasted some carrots and red peppers to keep Meercat happy. The boat was far too hot to eat down below, so we ate in the cockpit. I attempted to throw a piece of fish skin overboard and managed to land it squarely on Toby's back, on his nearly clean shirt. He was not impressed. At least I asked him to duck; if I hadn't, he'd have got it in the face. Lovely, cold fish skin in the face doesn't go down very well, not even amongst friends.

A large wave swamped the cockpit again just before we ate, sometimes you can see them coming and you can dodge them, usually you don't have enough time. As long as it is warm, it is not a problem because everything dries so quickly.

We decided to get the main up this morning in about 23 knots. I think the motion may have improved as well, as there seems to be a little more stability about her. We have the full yankee out and a single reefed mainsail and we are trucking along at around 8 knots, which is great. Previously, the wind direction meant that we didn't think there would be alot of benefit in hoisting it because the wind was so far aft, but currently, with it squarely on the beam, we are making fantastic progress.

We have been reading up on Ascension Island; we are all very excited about arriving.

all for now lubbers,
more tomorow, salty sal

PS, regarding last night's pizza, score ended up as pizza 2, Salty sal 1. It has been proven that an open container of flour goes further and higher than 6 eggs...

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