Noon Position twenty Six June 43:55.4N 021:7.8W
Days run by log 99 miles
Dear Reader,
Well, I finally turned that noisy engine off at 7pm last night and we
started sailing slowly on a broad reach. I quickly switched to Wing on wing
(A sail each side), which seemed better and we are still jogging along like
this as I write. In fact at the moment it couldn't be better. Hardly a cloud
in the sky, light 10 to 15 kt wind from astern and a fairly flattish sea.
Life is good!!!
I was working on my all over tan yesterday when it appeared that the cockpit
was covered in diamonds. No it wasn't a fly past by incontinent Magpies, but
tiny salt crystals which were so perfectly formed that they looked like
diamonds. Unfortunately, (or fortunately from my point of view), I had a
fresh water shower in the cockpit, so they are now as scarce as diamonds.
Saw another huge whale yesterday that seemed to be heading straight for us.
Grabbed the camera but he took a long lazy circle around the boat and
disappeared astern. Had about 20 or so Dolphins playing with the boat, but
we were going so slow under power that they decided to play the game who can
get nearest to the prop. Don't worry they were all safe and they enjoyed it
highly by all the squeaks and squeals I could hear.
I check the fuel in the tank when I switched off the engine and found a
pleasant surprise. The last owner had calculated a tank of fuel should last
40 hours. Going on my reduced speed of about 4.2 to 4.5 knots (Hundred miles
per day), I only used 1/3 of a tank instead of 1/2 tank. Yippee I have 20
hours in the bank!!
Saw two ships which came within a few hundred metres of me, which is a bit
of a worry. I must be on a shipping lane somewhere, as that's six I've seen
in under two days.
I spoke to one yesterday and got no reply then found my VHF wasn't
receiving. I've fixed that now (dodgy volume control which shuts off at full
volume) The one I spoke to today said he picked me up on Radar about 5 miles
away which should be OK at night.
When I was watching the Dolphins earlier, they have really got it
made...........if it wasn't for fishermen catching them in their nets. They
have hardly any predators and after they have eaten they spend a lot of time
in social groups just hanging out and having fun. Apparently they can bond
and make lasting friendships within the group which has nothing to do with
reproduction or sex. In fact there are some bachelor sub groups of 2 , 3 or
4.
When you think back ancient man used to be the same. A couple of hours
getting food then back to the cave (strongly built studio, running water,
sunny south facing aspect, close to all amenities, wall paintings by
negotiation) What have we done? Now we have to work all the time and we can
have that little studio if we sign our life away for 30 years. Our needs
haven't changed its just our perception of necessities ( Or is it the Ad
Man's perception?)
Your thought for the day come from Gautam Buddha
On Anger:
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing
it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
Tune in tomorrow and find out if the gales will hit or we can duck below
without falling back in the hole!
Berni
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