A quite incredible night
Cat-man-do
Sat 24 May 2008 04:14
|
Yet again today there's been little or no wind, and
we've been on engines all day. Obviously with the distances we need to cover we
need to make some progress but running out of fuel, to be frank isn't an
option.
So, we decided to be scientific, and having nothing
better to do for half an hour so, decided to check how much fuel we had in each
tank and check that against the gauges. We did this by measuring the tank, then
the depth of fuel in the tank by the highly scientific method of a bit of string
with a weight tied to the bottom being dipped in the tank.
After some quick calculations we worked out we had
approx 121 lts in one tank and 138 in the other. Just about spot on with the
gauges. We then worked out how many hours the engines had run since being filled
and so, how much fuel they use an hour. It worked out about .8 of a litre an
hour.
We could then make a calculation at our current
speed how long it will take to get to the Azores and from that, if we had
enough fuel to do it. (go on, admit it, you're impressed!)
Anyway enough of this and on to this
evening.
Andrew has more or less designated
himself as chief cook/provisions officer, something which I'm quite happy for
him to do, and tonight's little culinary delight? Would you believe Rib Eye
Steak and Sauté Potatoes!!
It has to be said, with apologies to those who may
have cooked for me in the past, it was just the best tasting and most tender
steak I've ever had. Not to mention quite possibly my best meal ever eaten
whilst afloat.
Andrew, you've excelled yourself and I'm not sure
just how you're going to follow that one. Seriously though, personally I'd like
to thank Andrew for looking after me so well, and making life aboard just that
bit special. Thanks mate.
Then as darkness fell, there was no moon initially
and it was a calm and cloud free evening. I've said it before, but I've got to
repeat it, unless you've seen the skies on a moonless night at sea it's
difficult to imagine just how many stars there are up there, just incredible,
surrounded from horizon to horizon in every direction, literally thousands of
them and the Milky way, not now just a Choccy bar to be stuffed down in one, but
a real life milky glow across the sky, awesome.
But, there was more to come. As the waning moon
poked it's head over the horizon, the stars lost some of their shine, but it
revealed a just about totally flat calm ocean surrounding us with
the moon reflected across it. With no wind to speak of, the only thing to
disturb the scene, the gentle humming of the engine whirring away in the
background.
It's very difficult to describe to someone who's
not experienced it and I'm sure I can go no way to doing it justice. It makes
you want to turn the engine off and just sit there motionless in the eerie
silence of it all. Trying desperately to etch the scene into your memory for
future recalling.
Oh to be able to pack it in a box, take it home and
share it with someone special.................
Sleep well.
|