Caroline taking shots of her fellow watch mates
Latitude; 39°24.35’S
Longitude; 146°03.26’E
Distance run in the last 24hrs; 66NM
Average speed; 2.75KN
Weather; SSW winds force ¾, Fairly cloudy, temp 14.2°, seas slight to moderate
With the winds having eased off, the sea starts to slowly abate and the ship gradually comes to life as sprawled motionless bodies start to emerge and create human form. Although the ship is still quiet there are faces appearing that I haven’t seen from day one, although I recognise the backs of many of the crew’s heads.
The weather is still drizzly with fronts bringing in rain which is pretty miserable for the watch on deck, but on a brighter side there is an epic feeding frenzy happening whilst Mizzen mast are on watch which have gannets, seagulls, Mutton birds, seals and dolphins all chasing some culinary delight. The dolphins decide to follow the ship for the rest of Mizzen masts watch playing in the bow waves.
Dinner brings a few more people down to the 20th century and many haven’t even eaten for a while and although hungry are very cautious about how much and what they eat. The night unfortunately continues to bring rain periodically and it is a cold night making watches slightly challenging especially with some still on the road to recovery and still feeling a little weak and tired. It is great to see the watches looking out for one another and stepping up to help those who are still suffering.
Shaking out the reefs
What a difference a day makes, so goes the saying. The sun has made an appearance this morning, we are sailing, the seas have now softened into an easy motion and it is warmer. There are more faces, more smiling and almost everyone making it to breakfast. There is a good buzz on board this morning as we start to maintain the normal ships routine and the crew embrace the challenges ahead today, which doesn’t just involve trying to make it around the ship. The comments off the blog are posted and it boosts morale 10 folds to have that small connection from friends and family.
The few that are still feeling slightly crook are on deck and enjoying the sunshine. At 1100 all hands are called on deck to strike the topsails in preparation to shake out our reefs, which were put in on the second day due to the forecast of the stronger winds we endured. Foremast goes up to the foremast and mainmast goes up to the mainmast and Mizzenmast who are currently on watch head out on to the bow sprit to lose the sprit sail. Once down the crew mates relate their stories and feeling of achievement from their climb, there is not too much time for talking though as the sails need to be re-set.
It is still quiet below decks this morning, but for all the right reasons as the crew are on deck enjoying the view, the sunshine but most of all the sailing. Huzzah!
All’s well
a lot of lines