Sunday Sun day
OceanHobo
Ivan Campbell
Sun 12 Dec 2010 15:46
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13:59.000N
53:37 .000W Date: Sunday, 12 December [14:30 UTC]
Facts and figures:
We are now 422 miles away from St Lucia and
we are still firmly in the grasp of the E-NE trade winds albeit that they have
now become lighter. For seven days now, we have been able to maintain good daily
runs of 140, 134, 180, 180, 168, 165 and 168 miles respectively. Average mileage
covered for the past week = 162 miles per days. Wind as forecasted, has
lightened.
We are keeping a close eye on our remaining
diesel fuel. As of this morning, we have 135 litres left. On a daily basis, we
need to run the engine to charge batteries and generate drinking water (every
other day) which typically uses 12 litres (4 hour period). So we have 15 hours
of charging left over the next 3 – 4 days. Preserving 100 litres for motoring
gives us approximately 26 hours (3.8 litres per hour consumption) should we need
to use it.
Saturday night’s dinner was created by the
Ship’s primary cook Dermot. A ‘SPAM’ risotto served with peas, mushrooms and
sweet-corn went down a treat. As is normal with most evening meals on-board,
seconds are usually available, but are quickly grabbed by those closest to the
cooker. Pudding included a jam sponge ‘creation’ served with custard. The crew
were very impressed with Dermot’s high standard of creativity and
excellence.
As advised in yesterday’s blog, various
church services were held on-board this morning. The Skipper imparted a few wise
words to the crew. His sermon was based on the life of St Peter: the “Big
Fisherman”. He described the course of his life from when he dropped all and
followed Jesus and became the most successful ”fisher of men” ever. The Skipper
compared St Peter’s life as an exemplary example to our two “Small Fishermen”
Dermot and Mike.
The Skipper left the thought hanging with us:
“Why have Dermot and Mike been so unsuccessful in their fishing
endeavours?”
After a very silent collection, he asked the
congregation to pray for our souls.......
Needless to say, we have lost another fishing
lure today. Before you ask – no – we still haven’t caught anything since the
Dorado last week.
Temperatures high today and very warn on
deck. The “Small Fishermen” are playing like children on the aft deck and are
being supervised by Cabin Boy Jimmy. The Ship’s good doctor is preparing himself
for another busy week at the ‘Ocean Hobo’ surgery: ‘Birth Control’ and ‘Strange
Tropical Ailments’ being a few of the topics to be covered this week before we
reach land.
The Ship’s engineer is hiding below decks
this morning. Morning duties include the generation of the daily blog and some
other routine activities such as checking the battery status, backing up photo
and movie files etc. Between you and me, he needs a pay rise!
Kind regards from Skipper Ivan and the
crew.
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