Close encounters...
Winya_wynah
Thu 2 Apr 2009 17:16
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Leaving Klein Curaco in the morning we saw
several groups of 20-30 Flamingos flying in formation. First in long lines above
the mast, then in the troughs between waves, nose to toe as if connected by
'flamingo string'!
Then in the afternoon we were paid a visit by the
coast guard. We had read in the guide book that they visited all their
anchorages and took boat names and flag. But it came as a little surprise to us
when a prop plane swooped down and seem to be coming straight for the mast,
whilst we were trying to negociate one of two cargo vessels, then circled
twice more. Too slow on the camera to get his picture.
Spot of fishing to no avail. We have decided not to
fish in the dark so took in the line. Then it was the turn of the sails - we
brought in the Genoa (Jenni) for the night to slow us down a tad. But just as
dark fell there was a loud BANG as the preventor (rope rigged to stop boom
swinging across accidentally) hadn't prevented a partial gybe. A look at the
wind indicator and the wind had changed direction. Unfortunate timing as it was
now dark. But gybe we did only a controlled version this time. Job done and the
first night watch was set to begin, but this time there was a loud CHOOOOF
(wooosh?) we all jumped Winny included. Quickly we looked to where the noise had
come from, and we were just in time to glimpse our first whale! On our port
quarter deck there was a dorsal fin sliding back into the water - just
below the BBQ! I don't think it touched us but no way to tell now. However after
cleaning bat poo from the saloon I don't relish the task of cleaning whale snot
from the underside of the barbie!
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