On keeping a Diary

Pemandia
Peter Fabricius
Sat 11 May 2019 08:46
43:32N 10:12W
As a child one of my favourite Christmas presents was a diary. It was a real staple present either in my stocking or perhaps from one of the uncles and aunts. The choice would vary from year to year as I grew, but I remember the Lett’s Schoolboys diary being a favourite. I don’t remember that I often actually wrote a diary beyond the beginning of the Lent term at school. The choice was all about the pages of information contained. Later I was weaned off the diary present but instead would get one of the many free diaries to be sent to my father each year by the drug companies - the included information such as antibiotic doses was less appealing!

In the Royal Navy I believe it has always been standard practice for officers to keep a journal: certainly I know that their medical officers were encouraged to do so when I was serving. The practice was strongly encouraged by the most famous diarist and possibly the most effective member of the Admiralty Board, Samuel Pepys. Of course Pepys’s own diary is one of the definitive sources of 17th century history. Francis Bacon also encouraged the diary writing habit. However he would not have been in favour of this blog, because he wrote “ It is a strange thing that in sea voyages where there is nothing to be seen but sky and sea, men should make diaries, but in land travel wherein so much is to be observed, they for the most part omit it; as if chance were fitter to be registered than observation” so perhaps I should give up blog writing while I am at sea?

So I have had my philosophical thought for the day. Meanwhile some super sailing yesterday brought me on north. The sun came out and gave me a glorious evening, making up to 7knots on a close reach. Overnight I have been working my way to and now around the NW corner of Spain, some 50 miles away. It is a busy area for shipping, at least 6 visible at the moment.

I had expected to be plagued by quite strong headwinds as I came up the Spanish and Portuguese coasts , the so called Portuguese Trades, and so even though the weather has been frustrating at times I am fortunate to have avoided them.

Now across Biscay and then home.

Peter

Sent from Yacht Pemandia