04:16.27N 124:11.62

Farr Gone Blog
Stuart Cannon
Mon 4 Apr 2011 21:36
Playing storm slalom still. If you can get in the right position a good twenty minutes of wind is yours for nothing. If you get in the wrong spot the boat gets a very thorough wash, which is great. There should be an extreme sport like storm kite boarding. You;d need oxygen and a parachute if you got swept up but the speed would be amazing. I can't imagine what Bligh, Cook and all the others before them must have thought when they got here. My altruism vanished in no time at all and I cranked on the cast iron headsail but the poor unfortunates on old sailing ships just had no choice but to sit and wonder if the wind would ever blow again. This boat has great ventilation, another improvement on old ships. If you open everything up the cabin is very airy. I did consider air conditioning before I left but so far I'm glad I didn't get it. You would be too cocooned up down below and missing out on the pleasures of the deck. These pleasures are limited to the views but wow. The stars at night are quite dazzling. Satellites can easily be seen and Venus rose so brightly I thought it was a boat coming towards me. More delusions.
 During the day, although calm mainly, the clouds are constantly changing and morphing and every now and again dumping water unexpectedly. Earlier on it was fairly calm so I decided to transfer some fuel from storage into the tank. Halfway through a little cloud formed on top and dumped so I'm frantically trying to keep water out of the fuel at all costs. Sacrifice one shirt for the cause. Water in deisel is no bueno out at sea (or anywhere really).
Various people have expressed their concern for me in different ways. My gorgeous daughter Ella, is concerned about my diet. Probably rightly so but I think I'm doing ok there and I'm taking plenty of vitamins to beat off the dreaded scurvy aarrgh. Jaimie is worried I wont drink enough water and I've had plenty. My son Jack just said "don't kill yourself". So far all good.
There is a degree of delicious trepidation that I feel with regard to what is coming. The SE trades are usually brisk so I'm expecting the work rate on the boat to go up. I've been using the peace wisely, even managed some laundry today - it dries really quickly here. And having nana naps anytime I feel.
One thing I was lax about when I started out was rubbish. It's ok to throw organics overboard but not aluminium (note spelling) or plastic and it's remarkable the way it piles up. A trash compactor, thats what I need. No I should have started more carefully and crushed and seperated better. Glad I bought extra rubbish bags but finding space is another matter. The household chores, you can go anywhere on the planet but those bloody chores sneak around behind you threatening to trip you up at any moment. Actually, its true on a boat. That frypan on the stove can become a missile so the dishes have to be done. Mess on deck trips you up or tangles you later. It's different to be in an environment where its ship shape or its not. Never a grey line. Obviously, me of all people, have difficulty with this as the manana mentality is so appealing. It is true however, that clear decks are safer and easier.
One thing the doldrums are good for is watching movies. Because the motor is running so often there are a variety of films which can be watched, electricity being abundant, I'm sure Fletcher Christian never had the dilemna of trying to please the guys in navigation by playing Abba or the pesky foredeck hands who always want Nuns Gone Wild. It actually seems too incongruous to watch a movie so I haven't yet but the thought is there.
By the way, have I metioned its incredibly beautiful out there? Well it is and I've spent enough time warbling on.
 
FFarrgone out bearing 204 cog