Graptolite - Current Affairs
Graptolite's Sailing Log
Martyn Pickup & Heike Richter
Mon 25 Feb 2008 16:36
morning
This is the first time I have ever been silly enough to set off on a long
voyage without having even a drop of fresh water in the tanks. For those of
you imagining blazing sun and swollen tongues; out in the less oily water
off the coast, we were soon able to make a few hundred litres with our
trusty watermaker.
Last night was good sailing. Although little progress was made against a
strong W-E current, with music blasting out in the cockpit it felt like we
were hurtling along in the darkness. There was also an excellent firework
display in our wake from the distressed luminous sea-bugs we churned
through. The best light-show since the Devon coast last August.
Unusually, we had seven or eight boats in sight most of the time, with
several close enough for us to see the headlamps of the night-watch moving
on deck. Normally the fleet quickly scatters like a pantry full of surprised
cockroaches. Each skipper naturally believing they have a unique gift of
insight into the secret workings of Mother Nature.
No more sightings of whales yet today. Come back whales, you are safe with
us even though we have a Japanese crewman in the galley!
Colin now has fishing tackle strung out the back of the boat capable of
hauling in submarines but now the fish are not interested in biting. What is
going on?
M