13:44.267N 073:44.217W Mad Dog and Irishmen
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Sat 29 Jan 2022 20:04
Mad Dog and Irishmen
Yesterday was a lazy day, book ended by a bracing early morning yoga session
and landing a fish in the evening. Over dinner we listed all jobs we had not
completed during the day. However, all crew members are now sporting a
bracelet, self-designed aboard this very boat.
Kevin and I have the best watch times - we enjoy the sunset (18:00-21:00)
and the sunrise (06:00-10:00). This morning, the moon, though a mere sliver,
shone brightly, creating the semblance of an Ancient Roman mosaic footpath
fashioned of gold and silver, in our wake. Sipping our coffee and tea, we
spoke of peace and gratitude and our lofty life goals, lapping up the
tranquillity. Louis appeared up the companionway, chin set, eyes focused,
bidding us a hasty good morning. No gentle yoga, no languorous breakfast
banter, today was not a day for idleness. With saw and screwdriver in hand,
the shelf in the forward port cabin was fixed and repacked by 09:00. The
crew, getting the message loud and clear, had the cockpit sparkling, the
galley gleaming, and bodies smoothly shaved and shiny by 10:00. A meeting
was called in the cockpit to discuss further jobs that needed to be done,
and numbers for future social events in Shelter Bay, Panama. All arrived
promptly, well turned out, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:00.
At almost midday, under the menacing sun, mad Irishmen (no dogs) were seen
scampering around the decks. All hell had broken loose! That is, the clew of
the mainsail, (outer corner, attached to the back end of the boom), broke
loose and started flapping merrily in the wind. Stuart, worried that
something had fallen overboard in the mayhem, asked for a volunteer to dive
under the boat to double check the propeller. Kevin raised his hand high,
donned his goggles and fins, newly purchased in Grenada, ready to oblige.
Was that a tongue lolling out of his mouth, hanging on the words of his
beloved master? Was he the mad dog?
With safety line out, kept afloat by a fender, the rest of the crew jumped
in to enjoy a cooling down swim too. Propeller was declared free of
obstruction, boat hull was proclaimed clean. Stuart fired up the engine and
we were off again.
Ardour not cooled, however, Louis moved on to the next chore. Generator
problems have dogged us again, since Thursday. Stuart and Louis have been
avoiding this messy and tricky job. Today they set to, with quick success.
Lunch was relaxed but not for long!
At 15:00 the crew was summoned to the aft deck for a life jacket test. Kevin
was volunteered - there goes that tongue again! The lifejacket fired and
Kevin all but disappeared behind fluffy pillows of yellow plastic! An alarm
sounded and the position of the ''accident'' was recorded. The system
worked. We breathed a collective sigh of relief.
At 15:30, when naps were being considered, a yell ''Plastic floating in the
ocean'', had the crew on their feet again. Louis took the wheel , James
grabbed the boat hook, I pointed and kept the bag in my sight. Irene IV
turned and was manoeuvred with ease towards the offensive item. James
successfully landed the large grain bag from Kingston, Jamaica. We have rid
the ocean of one more plastic bag!
Heavy humidity finally gave way to the promised rain, so crew, as I write,
are gathered around the TV screen in the saloon, watching ''Walk Hard, the
Dewey Coax Story''. Idleness rules again! Captain Stuart is on watch up
above, taking one for the team!