Gone Native - Day 8 log

Ship's Log: 30 November 2008, 1200 GMT, 17.40N 26.40W

Our basil plant, now named Jenny, suffers grievously. Growth appears not to be an issue. We would gladly settle for the status quo at this point, if she would just survive the crossing. The same can not be said for a pair of flying fish that ended up aboard over the night. They now have names, "Talisman" and "Joey" and hang from their tails in ever deepening rigor over the cockpit. The boys seem unaware of their eventual fate, as those with more common sense on the crew fear the effects of the tropical sun on their corrupt flesh. For the time being, however, we eat our meals accompanied by the gentle swaying of fishes above us.

There's nothing new in the mutiny department. The boys seem happy naming their collection of fishing lures and the fish that alight in the night. We also have concocted a new project for them. Specifically, we're attempting to make a functional fishing lure from an old beer can and various other spare parts (garbage). The dorado seem aggressive, however, and we all remain optimistic that we'll catch something.

We jibed over to a westerly course after breakfast this morning. At this point we're just hoping for decent trade winds and a nice ride to St. Lucia. Last night we got winds of up to 28 knots and occasional surfing speeds of up to 12.

Fair winds...