3/22/21
Much has changed since we last spoke and at the same time nothing at all. The weather is forever variable, while our routine remains the same.
Most visible in the stillness of the ocean, is its sickness. What started out a white smudge on the horizon, presented its ugly self as a large polystyrene block around 1.5m x 1m. Keen to do our part, we lifted the harmful contaminant onboard, bagged the bastard up and tied him aft, safe from doing anymore damage. Shortly after our first find, two ghost nets floating on the surface passed by in the distance. Our curiosity demanded a closer look… How big was it? Was any marine life tangled up? Closer inspections revealed that nothing obvious was caught in there but it was just too large to safely bring onboard, plus no one was keen on giving up their bunk for the hundreds of metres of discarded lines and rubbish. Unfortunately, what we see on the surface, is just a drop in the ocean compared to the reality.
In lighter news, we have a comprised a plan to counteract the over indulgence and fine dining. The Sea Dragon gym is open! Founded by our skipper Anna, sessions run daily for all ages and abilities. It’s like your regular gym… Latest gym trends here consist of constricting foulies and lifejackets, with a few layers of thermals to really get your sweat on. Space is a little crammed at peak times but the constant moving platform is not only free but provides a constant core workout. We have had some mixed feedback from the crew, but spectators seem to find humor in the gym goers struggles.
As predicted, the wind has filled in and we have got this heavy girl surfing. Typically, sail changes and reefing ends up happening in the hours of darkness, but we now have a rather aesthetic sail plan of two reefs in the main and a poled out yankee. The swell is taking its time to settle and its temperament something simular to that of an angry teennager…A little all of over the place, coming in from various directions at times and then when you think its all settled down, throws in a steep roller to catch you off guard.
Despite this, the galley has served us well and kept the food on the plates and off the walls.
The generator wanted some attention this morning and once tickled with a spanner and new impeller it was happy once again. The boys in their bunks adjacent to the crashing and banging of tools and grunts to reach the jubilee clips that require the human limbs to detach, were entirely unaware as they gracefully rehearsed their snoring symphony. Not so secretly, jealous of how easy they make sleeping look when one cannot.
It’s another morning and while I sit quietly in the corner, I watch as bustling bodies wake to the smell of croissants baking in the oven, stirring even the deepest of sleepers.
We are nearing 1000nm but Hawaii seems a long way off, as a heavy, grey sky hangs over us for another day. No sign of shorts and t-shirts…yet!
-Sophie
