Sri Lanka to Chagos - Day 3
Harmonie
Don and Anne Myers
Mon 26 Mar 2012 07:28
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2:13.250N 75:26.708E
March 26, 2012
We have entered the dreaded ITCZ (Intertropical
Convergence Zone).
Or just convergence zone for short. Either way, it's the
area around the equator where northern and southern weather systems collide, or
converge as the name indicates. The two weather systems don't generally
like each other, so when they get together, rain and thunderstorms, weird wind
patterns (or no wind), and gloomy, overcast skies result. The clouds moved
in last night, and although there were rain showers around, we didn't get
wet. There was lots of lightening, but it was showing off more than
anything else - great flashes in the clouds to the east like someone large was
taking pictures with a huge camera equipped with ginormous flashbulb.
It was harmless. Not terrifying. Our biggest complaint was the
clouds covered up our lovely stars so we couldn't spend the
night gazing up in a daze (not that we would do that, being the extremely
vigilant night-watch sailors we are). Today is completely overcast.
It's gloomy, but cool. After yesterday's sweat bath, a little gloom is
welcome.
We covered another ho-hum 120 miles toward our goal, motoring
only 7 of the last 24 hours. These are statistics we would normally be
embarrassed to report, but given our position smack dab in the middle of the
doldrums (another name for the ITCZ), and our desire to use as little fuel as
possible, 120 miles and 7 hours of motoring is darn good.
Big Events.
Dolphins. The acrobatic spinner dolphins came to see us
briefly this morning. They didn't stick around though - probably didn't
feel like slowing down for us.
Fish. None! We are trying. The line is out
there and has been for the past three days. Fish don't like a slow moving
lure.
Fuel. The first three of ten jerry cans were emptied
into the tank this morning. Not a drop was spilled.
Ships. Two. No fishing boats.
Can you tell I'm grasping to come up with big events to
report today? There's not a lot going on, but this is not necessarily
a bad thing on a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
More excitement tomorrow as we reach the half-way point and
approach the equator -
Anne
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