Bobbing along in the Madagascar Basin
Misterx
Fri 15 Nov 2024 05:22
Friday 15th Nov 24
8:30am
Already at the beginning of our 5th day at sea... we had a lovely breeze to take us away from Mauritius. Nothing too strong as far as wind was concerned although the sea was rough enough to unsettled the stomach for a couple of days. The last 3 days however have been very, very, very slow. We are barely moving, and often pointing in the wrong direction. The world around us is turning, fast paced tankers and ships are crossing and overtaking us at what seems, to us, lightning speed. A couple of them voiced their surprise at seeing us so still, wondering if we had an engine or if there was something wrong with it. Not very often that the big boys show interest in us, let alone praise our gutsiness on tackling the ocean on what looks to them like a toy boat.
We are keeping busy, repairing the net around the boat, poring over charts and weather reports, cooking a bit, although it is really hot so not so much of cooking going on. And we have our fisherman extraordinaire on board, who managed to catch a huge fish, who fortunately escaped, after a good hour of sport. That definitely kept every one occupied. Since then, the fishing rod has been out every day, but not so much of a nibble.
I do like these quiet times at sea, no wind, waves and rigging noises, only the gentle lapping of the water on the hull. Gazing at the colour of the water, the ripples on the sea and the shape of the clouds can and do keep me amused for hours during the day. At night the travelling of the moon and the stars makes our entertainment, along with guessing length of ships passing us. With the wind being so little, we have had to steer a bit, the windvane does not do so well in light air. I suspect both Ian and JC will get impatient soon... JC would like to be home for Christmas, at this rate he might be back by Easter!
M