40:30.38N 13:44.03W Circle of Chores
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Thu 14 Oct 2021 19:26
The mesmerizing maceral skies and guiding first quarter moon on watch last
night, the quiet sunrise this morning with striations of blush red reaching
across the horizon and the much anticipated warmer climes, threw the crew
into a flurry of activity. Decks were washed down, the galley scrubbed, and
various odd jobs and maintenance completed with great satisfaction.
Watching the laundry hanging out to dry on the life lines, fluttering in the
gentle breeze, reminds us that the wind speed has reduced from an average of
24 knots to an average of 3 knots in less than 24 hours. With a little help
from the engine we are now motor sailing at 9.5 knots. Cooking, eating and
ablutions become a walk in the park, compared to the bracing acrobatics of
the last few days. All crew members are glowing and smelling like roses! The
water maker has been hard at work, so showers were encouraged by the
skipper, who has a sensitive disposition and nose! Crew and boat are ship
shape, sir!
Today marked the half way point, which was celebrated with some brownies
after lunch! Thus far we have travelled 900 nautical miles, mostly under
sail. We have 500 left to go until Madeira and then another 300 to Gran
Canaria - we are making good headway.
Quite a few unexpected hitch hikers have flown aboard. Yesterday an
exhausted robin attempted to land on the deck, but failed, we send him good
wishes for a safe transit to wherever he is heading - are robins migrating
birds? Likewise, this morning a small finch-like bird came aboard and after
a successful landing, we endeavoured to entice him to stay with some stale
bread, but to no avail. This afternoon, what looked like a yellow tit
encircled the boat, checking us out, landed on a deck chair, a winch and the
transom rail, but unlike Goldilocks, could not find his just right spot. We
have stale bread at the ready should we be graced with any other such
visitors.
In line with our mission to increase awareness of unnecessary plastic usage
and waste, some animated discussions have developed. We are constantly
vigilant about where each piece of waste belongs - Compost (goes overboard),
Recycling (is carefully separated, reduced in size and stored until such
time as it can be processed to our satisfaction) and Rubbish/Trash (we take
great pleasure in the small amount that we have thus far collected - half a
small bin). John Egan would be proud of us! Eddie shared a quote from a book
he recently read, "The creeping inevitability of the incoming tide." - a
beautiful image of nature in complete homeostasis. We pray that the new
malady of climate anxiety, which currently fills many therapists' offices,
evaporates, and that humanity comes back to its senses.