16:13.6N 52:12.7W

Day 19 – Dec 9

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

Life on Nina has its surprises. Just when we're settled into a routine, one day blending into the next, along comes some excitement to keep us all on our toes.

Day 19 dawned beautifully and continued to shower sunshine on us all through the morning and afternoon. With everyone in a relaxed and sunny disposition, banter turned to the daily expectation of our fish supper. Mark and Skipper Steve have spent hours upon hours on this trip devising lures and squiddlies, patiently tying them astern and waiting.

Then it happened!

We submit our invitation to Write Your Own Blog, from alternative scenarios A and B:

Steve was sitting on the stern seat, chatting and idly monitoring his fishing line when…

A. The shock cord twanged tight with a huge snap

B. He said “guys, I think I feel a vibration in this”

Immediately,

A. 15 tons of boat jerked to a halt in the water, throwing loose items everywhere

B. The crew remarked audibly, “pull the other one, Skip”

“No,” shouted Steve, “I think we really have something”, whereupon…

A. A huge 6ft Marlin leaped out of the water on the end of the line

B. Some flurry in the water could be seen in the distance

The crew scrambled up on deck, gasping with excitement, their reaction swift and incredulous:

A. “We're gonna need a bigger boat!”

B. “Might be seaweed for supper…”

As the enormity of the situation dawned, Steve hauled in on the line…

A… for a full hour, fighting the formidable Marlin as it leaped and wriggled on the hook

B… for a whole minute, revealing a 12 inch Bonita

Soon the fish was too exhausted to put up a fight. Landed on deck, Mark…

A… rained blow after blow with a club on the gigantic thrashing Marlin, beating him senseless

B… poured some alcohol into the gills of the feebly wriggling Bonita

Exhilarated and exhausted, Steve and Mark took a knife from the kitchen and started gutting and cleaning the fish.

A. “There's enough here for a week, what will we do with all this fish?” said the Skipper

B. “Frank, fry this fella with a bit of butter” said the Skip

And so the crew of Nina dined well that night on fresh fish.

We got two forkfuls each :-)