Bernie’s Bog
- Day 6 – 26 May
We are no longer in the tropics; the Tropic of Cancer
231 °north was crossed
at 1300 yesterday and we celebrated during afternoon tea by cutting into Sue 2’s
moist fruitcake. There is not a great change in the climate other than sea temp
is now 29.9 and we are just a little cooler when trying to sleep. As we continue
north we expect to find conditions to improve.
Peter (P1), our skipper, keeps a close eye on our health
and as part of that he ensures that we drink enough liquids and monitors closely
the intake. We save the fresh water bottle tops so that we know exactly how much
is consumed each day. Also, our useage of ship’s water is monitored and we are
getting better at reducing useage for washing up and showering. We do have a
water maker onboard but we have to be prepared for the time when it might not
function.
Yesterday we sailed under the spinnaker while conditions
were suitable. Today we are using the ‘asymmetric’ genoa. All exciting
seamanship stuff!
Last evening’s supper coked by Peter (P1) was an
excellent hot spicy Singapore Hawker Centre-style stir fried noodles with ham,
bean shoots, ginger cooked in sesame seed and olive oil. Superb.
It was a truly beautiful and spiritual night to be
sailing. Overnight we sailed under a totally clear sky full of stars and
planets. We could have easily steered by the Pole Star keeping it on the port
bean to head east; just as in olden days of sail. There is something very
special about watch keeping at night. Everyone else is below asleep and you are
on your own with your own thoughts
…….family, friends, events and, yes, …….the meaning of life. At this
point our skipper maybe feeling ill !
Discussions on deck today have included: BBC left-wing
bias (I don’t agree but was in minority!!) vs CNN News; old coins and the merits
of solar panels vs wind vanes to top-up batteries.
Today’s
vocabulary addition translation: A clicky sparkey thing – the gas
lighter.