Tuesday 20th July (Lini’s Journal)
Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Sun 25 Jul 2010 23:36
Yeehah! Clear skies and a sunrise started the day, but then a slow
engulfing of every type of cloud possible. My attention was swiftly
diverted from the black squall clouds however when dolphins arrived
from all directions. Today I am Lini Loadsamates and my heart is full
of joy. I grabbed the camera, now desperate to take at least one movie
of these adorable creatures before it’s too late. Forbidden to leave
the cockpit without waking Si though I fear I shot hours of bow waves
and splashes and no smiling faces or acrobatics. Luckily they returned
mid-morning, their squeaky call heard clearly through the hull. I
rushed up on deck and this time was able to hang over the bow with
their dorsal fins within reach, watch their playful games and
hopefully catch some on film. We are just approaching the continental
shelf which may explain so much wildlife. Yesterday we saw our first
gannets, today many can be seen diving with the dolphins for fish
which there seems to be in abundance. I felt lucky and dusted off the
fishing gear!
Si attached the lovely shiny rod holder before we left the Azores,
so I thought I should make an effort this leg. My enthusiasm has all
but disappeared after no catches since Weymouth last September. I
threw the hand line over and spent ages sorting out the rod and
twisted trolling line and making lures between baking bread for lunch.
At 4pm as I write nothing has been tempted by my lures which will have
to come in soon with the seas growing and strong winds due soon.
Apart from a few showers it has been a blissfully bright and breezy
day: What a delight to be able to sail. The passing front didn’t bring
too strong winds either, so apart from an increase in traffic as we
near the traffic separation schemes off Brittany and the Scilly Isles,
the night was uneventful. Sleep continues to be very difficult though
with big rolly seas.