Kissing the coral, again
Fleck
Tue 27 Nov 2007 00:47
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Position 09:16.3N 78:07.5W
An interesting day dodging up the coast behind, for
the most part a long coral reef. Lots of small islands topped with half a dozen
coconut palms, and many picturesque Kuna Villages. A tremendous swell, and no
wind, makes travel uncomfortable, and I have to use the engine all the time. The
swell comes from the north east where the trade winds are gathering force. Huge
breaking waves on the outer reefs would be welcomed on Fistral beach,
Cornwall: an awesome sight for us sailors however. Hit another patch of
coral at midday, the result of the autopilot yawing off the intended course
by 100 yards: the safe channels are very narrow, and the water very murky. I
don't think there will have been much additional damage. Hitting coral is like
cutting a common bile duct in surgery: nearly everyone has done it, there
is allways an excuse, but it shouldn't happen, and there are some gifted sailors
who can truthfully say that they have never had a scrape. The majority lie
through their teeth, but I have allways found that confession is good for
the soul, or whatever.
Tonight there has been more heavy rain, my water
tanks are nearly full thanks to my cunning collecting system, and I have a quiet
anchorage close to the mainland, and mangroves, so all the screens are up to try
to reduce the insect assault.
Have just finished Will Self's Book of Dave: his
London book. Interesting to compare with Martin Amis's London book: London
fields, which I read last year.Both these guys are a bit too clever for their
own good, if you ask me, and I'm sure they won't. But I must admit that
especially the Book of Dave was excellent: I can even understand Cockney now,
although Spannish would be a lot more useful out here.
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