A light SE breeze sprung up at about 03.00h and we set sail and proceeded on an almost Southerly course.
The weather formation seems to be changing somewhat and we are obviously getting into a "different part of the country", maritimely speaking.
The skipper, who seemed to scent whales in the vicinity, climbed the mast head at about 15.00h and, after about half an hour up there, sang out. "There she blows. Whale on the starboard bow". Soon a whole family of wales came into view, surfacing and blowing to beat the band. They passed ahead of us, headed by the bull, about 8 tor 10 of them. Quite an astonishing sight.
Later we saw a "fulmar" bird, which followed us some distance, and after night fall come the dolphins, frisking and gambolling under the cutwater, in their inimitable style. Truly we are now in new and more fertile "territory".
Juan has some curious theories, one of which being that man will eventually be displaced on earth by the rat. He says that scientists have discovered that of all the animals, including man, the rat has the largest brain in comparison to the size of its body and that it is an extremely intelligent animal. I suggested we started grafting ants with rats so as to be sure of something a little more industrious and less destructive to replace us eventually here on earth. He laughed and said "Why not graft Germans with pineapples to get something efficient and tasty at the same time?"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Chapter Two - C - Friday 3rd, February, 1956
At 05.00h we had a short sharp rain squall; the first rain since leaving Rio. Rushed up on deck from my "watch below" and stood naked on the deck with a bar of coconut soap, doing my ablutions. What a joy ! Washed, also: 2 shirts, 1 pair of shorts, 1 towel.
I had intended to give Juan, at the wheel, a chance to have a bath but the squall was of short duration and he had to be content with a drenching, fully clothed! Unhappily no further squalls.
Wind died away during the day and we lay becalmed through a stifling afternoon.
At about 17.00h Juan saw a shoal of fish and very soon a large turtle about a metre broad appeared, swimming round the boat. He must have been fairly old. was of a reddish colour, with barnacles on his back. With a view to having some turtle soup this evening the skipper made an attempt to harpoon him, but he got away.
Juan spent most of the day making the P.D.C.D. (Pluvial-Deposit-Captation-Device) consisting of a canvas gutter sewn onto the foot of the mainsail, for catching rainwater, which can be syphoned (sic) off into our already somewhat depleted 135 gallon fresh water tank.
Still becalmed at midnight, we lowered sails in order to rest better. Very hot night. Slept on deck.
The Cunarder "Caronia" was due to sail from Rio to Tristan da Cunha at 17.00h today, doing about 22 knots. As she may overtake us, I practiced lamp flashing with Juan.
Trolling for Fish. No Catch.
I had intended to give Juan, at the wheel, a chance to have a bath but the squall was of short duration and he had to be content with a drenching, fully clothed! Unhappily no further squalls.
Wind died away during the day and we lay becalmed through a stifling afternoon.
At about 17.00h Juan saw a shoal of fish and very soon a large turtle about a metre broad appeared, swimming round the boat. He must have been fairly old. was of a reddish colour, with barnacles on his back. With a view to having some turtle soup this evening the skipper made an attempt to harpoon him, but he got away.
Juan spent most of the day making the P.D.C.D. (Pluvial-Deposit-Captation-Device) consisting of a canvas gutter sewn onto the foot of the mainsail, for catching rainwater, which can be syphoned (sic) off into our already somewhat depleted 135 gallon fresh water tank.
Still becalmed at midnight, we lowered sails in order to rest better. Very hot night. Slept on deck.
The Cunarder "Caronia" was due to sail from Rio to Tristan da Cunha at 17.00h today, doing about 22 knots. As she may overtake us, I practiced lamp flashing with Juan.
Trolling for Fish. No Catch.
Chapter Two - B - Thursday 2nd February - Logged 90 miles
A most perfect day at sea. Moderate NEly winds to push us along our SEly course at 5/6 knots, a slight china-blue sea and a few white woolly clouds draped along the horizon.
Everyone sunning themselves, as we may not have many more days like this. The skipper climbed the rigging at lunch time and filmed the gastronomical activities and other aspects of shipboard life, for his French television principals.
Oliver has his first shower in the net.
The skipper's "C'est bon" in his quarterdeck voice, when some good food is produced or when something exceptionally pleasant occurs, is becoming infectious. We all say it imitating him. Not too good for shipboard discipline!
Further efforts to locate the "short" unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Everyone sunning themselves, as we may not have many more days like this. The skipper climbed the rigging at lunch time and filmed the gastronomical activities and other aspects of shipboard life, for his French television principals.
Oliver has his first shower in the net.
The skipper's "C'est bon" in his quarterdeck voice, when some good food is produced or when something exceptionally pleasant occurs, is becoming infectious. We all say it imitating him. Not too good for shipboard discipline!
Further efforts to locate the "short" unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Chapter Two - a - Wednesday, 1st February 1956
Bottle No.1 Launched in: Lat. 27º 56'S
Long. 36º 26'W
by Juan, with a hefty heave to windward. He said that the red plastic stopper was too attractive and that the bottle would be swallowed by a big fish, without doubt.
Mostly out of shame for my having so far avoided all kitchen duties I decided to make a macaroni dish for supper, with tomato extract sauce and grated cheese. So much assistance was forthcoming, however, that the danger arose of "too many cooks spoiling the broth", as skipper and Juan both had very pronounced ideas about the sause. Oliver, who is feeling more chirpy, put in his oar as well. In spite of this the meal was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Hoisted mizzen stay sail. Worked out my first sight.
The skipper and I approximately the same age, recalling songs of our youth, particularly those popular favourites of Leyton and Johnson, gave an impromptu sing-song, including the following numbers: -
"Can't help loving that man"
"Remember"
"Waiting for the moon to shine"
"No foolin'"
"My gal's Mother"
"Hard Hearted Hannah"
"Mademoiselle"
"there's danger in your eyes, cherie"
"Alabamy Bound"
"S'Wonderful"
Tolling for fish. No catch.
Long. 36º 26'W
by Juan, with a hefty heave to windward. He said that the red plastic stopper was too attractive and that the bottle would be swallowed by a big fish, without doubt.
Mostly out of shame for my having so far avoided all kitchen duties I decided to make a macaroni dish for supper, with tomato extract sauce and grated cheese. So much assistance was forthcoming, however, that the danger arose of "too many cooks spoiling the broth", as skipper and Juan both had very pronounced ideas about the sause. Oliver, who is feeling more chirpy, put in his oar as well. In spite of this the meal was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Hoisted mizzen stay sail. Worked out my first sight.
The skipper and I approximately the same age, recalling songs of our youth, particularly those popular favourites of Leyton and Johnson, gave an impromptu sing-song, including the following numbers: -
"Can't help loving that man"
"Remember"
"Waiting for the moon to shine"
"No foolin'"
"My gal's Mother"
"Hard Hearted Hannah"
"Mademoiselle"
"there's danger in your eyes, cherie"
"Alabamy Bound"
"S'Wonderful"
Tolling for fish. No catch.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Chapter One - h) - Sunday 31th January, 1956
Logged 134 Miles
Ran the auxiliary petrol generator for battery charging, for two hours, as we cannot get radio time singnals on the W/T, as it is at present, and the chronometer error is too erratic to give us an accurate longitude.
Very pleasant sailing.
Juan made a Spanish broth of garlic, stale bread and eggs. Very tasty.
Set the Genoa jib
More whale spoor observed.
Skipper showed us how to have a "shower" lying in the net under the bowsprit. I tried it out. very agreeable. Skipper also demonstrated the methods of obeying pysiological necessities of the side instead of using the W.C. Very practical and hygienic.
Further efforts to locate the short circuit in the engine room unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Ran the auxiliary petrol generator for battery charging, for two hours, as we cannot get radio time singnals on the W/T, as it is at present, and the chronometer error is too erratic to give us an accurate longitude.
Very pleasant sailing.
Juan made a Spanish broth of garlic, stale bread and eggs. Very tasty.
Set the Genoa jib
More whale spoor observed.
Skipper showed us how to have a "shower" lying in the net under the bowsprit. I tried it out. very agreeable. Skipper also demonstrated the methods of obeying pysiological necessities of the side instead of using the W.C. Very practical and hygienic.
Further efforts to locate the short circuit in the engine room unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
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