Thursday 17th June – Day 11 At Sea (Lini’s Journ al)
Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Wed 23 Jun 2010 17:03
Si and I spent some time on the bow peering over to the dozen or so
dolphins that played in the bow waves and competed with each other to
see who could hold their dorsal fin on the stem the longest. Some
nudged each other like adolescents play fighting as they circled round
for another attempt, “Bet I can stay on the bow longer than you fish
face!” We beamed ear to ear as one in particular rolled onto its side
looking us straight in the eye: What an amazing experience! We’re sure
they show off as the more attention you give them, the more games they
play and the longer they stay. Si had to eventually drag me away to
chop fruit and flip pancakes for his overdue breakfast.
It was a glorious morning with sunshine, calming seas and gentle
breezes. Nature was also helping us along with a very favourable north
going current. After checking this morning’s GRIB files we now head
NNE to keep the dying wind as long as possible. As the next ugly low
approaches we then plan to head off east again for a while to avoid
the worst winds. We now have 550nm to run to Flores.
We were very lucky to have just enough wind to sail during the day
and the softest of breezes allowed the rolling seas to slowly flatten.
It was a good chance to clean cookers and bathrooms, fold clothes,
take showers, type up blogs; all the things that are put on hold when
life gets bumpy afloat. Once again our wind slowly died but we were
grateful to have sailed as long as we did judged by the forecast. The
engine went on, but at least we were able to fall into far away dreams
at naps times.
Standards are slipping on Brindabella! A few days ago I dug out a
book of Suduko which Si viewed with curiosity being a Suduko virgin.
It was my fault for not putting it away when I took a nap that he just
thought he’d take a look and see what all the world wide interest is
all about. Of course he is now deeply hooked and I eye cupboards for
possible hiding places so I might get a look in before he completes
the book. Meanwhile only one of us at a time can be seen doing
anything remotely useful to keep Brindabella ship-shape.
Si has taken over the job of net controller for the Northbound SSB
Net now that ‘Island Drifter’ has arrived in the Azores. Although this
keeps him out of mischief for a while, it also clashes with Lini’s nap
times, the first falling during my morning nap and the evening net an
hour after I retire. I tried sleeping in the aft cabin for my first
off watch, but although further from the radio, my right ear was just
under the starboard primary winch. I slept very well on my next off
watch!
After a spell of mild nights the bite has returned and parts that
protrude from our cosiest of nests felt cold to the touch when alarm
bells brought us back to the here and now.