31 January 2011
The surface of the South Atlantic Ocean is so calm I could have put on my washing machine without it coming to any harm. We have drifted along all day at four to five knots in seven to ten knots of wind. Except that we had been doing this the day before, and the day before that. And we were drifting northwest away from the rhumb line on a perfect course for Recife except that we are not going there, yet. There was too much south in what little wind we have. Enough of this purist nonsense! We have less than 800nm to go and a near full tank of diesel. We furled the sails and fired up the engine. The wind instruments suddenly sprang to life. This is exactly what happened when it had failed before. The only conclusion we have come to it that it could be caused by dampness getting into the unit and once it has dried. Voila! We have our readings back.....
The east coast of Brazil has appeared on the left hand side of the computer chart. When I zoom out I can see our track westwards from Panama down to Ecuador. When we arrive in Salvador we have only land between the two points. I still find it amazing that we have circled the globe in only twelve months.
Bugs aboard - The one that got away......
Tiny ants started to appear in the dim torchlight around the galley and the chart table. Uh oh! What's going on here then? I lay in wait in the dark then would suddenly spring their cover with a burst of bright light. Gotcha! as another one of the little critters gets zapped. Like the ranks of an advancing army they come inexorably. But where from? I did a blitz. Aha! They had made a lovely little nest for themselves in a wooden box on the shelf behind the sink. The whole lot was plunged into a basin of water except that there was one escapee. The little blighter was just too quick for me. Well, there always is one isn't there. So last night once more I am there watching and waiting. Sure enough my runaway ant emerged from the deep dark recesses of goodness knows where and made a 'bee line' (pardon the pun) for the familiar family abode. Needless to say he was smartly despatched like the rest of his brothers and sisters. It transpires that the chart table was merely a decoy. They went there for the cosy warmth that the machines generated. And then there are the moths. Would you believe but they are still flitting about the cabin and ever since La Reunion. There had been a delivery of grain to the docks and come the evening plagues of them would descend upon us. Their favourite hiding place is the fruit hammock strung up in the main cabin. I just have to jiggle it and out they fly with startled surprise. With fly swatter to hand I chase them around swiping at the air more than at them. Now I can really understand how pests and bugs and all manner of beasties were carried from country to country, island to island in the time of the great explorers....... Tonight I am feeling very smug and pleased with myself. I think I may well have seen the last of our unwelcome and uninvited guests. Could it be that at last we have a bug free boat.....
Susan Mackay