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.