06:30.9S 097:14.65W - Oyster South Pacific (Race) (Rally) Armada
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Sat 19 Mar 2022 23:28
Yesterday it was decided that we should use the barbecue for dinner! Seas
were predicted to get choppier in a day or two, so why not avail of the
calmer seas while we can. We have first-hand proof that forecasts are barely
worth the paper or screen on which they are written! As the day progressed
the wind increased - good, and the sea state got both rollier and bumpier -
bad! However, once the dinner menu is decided, that's that! Earlier in the
day, John had sawed a giant lump of frozen ground beef into 3 lesser pieces,
in preparation for the promised burger feast. During the 1800 Radio
broadcast, caramelized onions, portobello mushrooms, sauteed balsamic
potatoes, cheese, tomato, and lettuce slices were prepared and the barbeque
on the transom rail was fired up. The danger with the barbeque in roly poly
seas, is losing some burgers overboard. Fortunately, all 6 burgers survived
the sea's valiant attempt at a tasty treat.
Tummies full, licking our chops, we relaxed back into our seats to digest.
Suddenly, the cry went up, Black Lion (an OWR fleet participant) is gaining
on us! Feelings of "it is not a race" were flung aside and the competitive
juices flowed freely. Sails were trimmed, course was changed, all hands were
on deck spurring Irene IV along. She rose to the challenge, and we surged
forward from a sedately 7 knots to a full blooded 10 knots in a jiffy. Black
Lion was held at bay.
Instructions were issued by the Supreme Allied Fleet Commander of the Oyster
South Pacific Armada, (L. Goor O.B.E.), to hold our position and never let
the "enemy" overcome. All was well until early morning when Black Lion was
approaching 1/8 mile off our starboard flank. Rob sprang into action and
took care of that. As I write, we are sitting at a comfortable 1.8 miles
ahead and Black Lion appears to be following exactly in our tracks. She has
recognized our superiority and her position in the hierarchy!
We proceed on day 4, under cloudy skies, sporadic rain showers, hot and
humid conditions, occasional dolphin sightings, with a constant eye on Black
Lion and plenty of good humour.
As you all well know, we are aligned with the Oceanic Society, an
organization that I greatly admire. They do not dictate, they inspire; they
do not proclaim they engage; they do not prescribe, they motivate. I feel
inspired, engaged, and motivated each day to be a better ambassador for the
ocean environment. Today, in reading "No More Plastic" by Martin Dorey, I
was again struck by the vastness of the waste problem we now face as human
beings. The author lists small bite size real life hacks that make a
difference, not dissimilar from to the Oceanic Society's Blue Habits program
which we are championing. Daily I am reminded that "We need to free
ourselves from the tyranny of convenience." It is certainly easier and time
saving to use teabags, but most of them contain plastic. We have come to
enjoy the ritual of loose-leaf tea in a teapot, onboard Irene IV - much more
satisfying than endless teabags in individual cups. And, we have converted
Enda, the inveterate coffee drinker, to drinking tea, at least once a day,
as long as it is Lapsang Souchong!