47.46.684N 007.627W
1210 hrs 11 June 2012
Another night watch and there is only Zulu, my imaginary helmsman, to talk to. It is the good ship Enterprise after all. Jaz served us brie sandwiches for lunch. I had asked for cheese but she thinks she is serving the third course at a dinner party. I suspect that the brie is testing my anti-seasickness tablets to the full. Maybe I should get sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. But then no. They have lost of guinea pigs and rabbits to test their potions on.My mind wanders to the sight of a large rabbit helming the yacht dressed in a smart waistcoat and singing "I'm
late, I'm late for a very important date...". I must concentrate on my
watch.
It is customary to wax lyrical about sailing - even night watches. But for the sceptics amongst you let me give you some useful ammunition. This is a night watch sitting on the cockpit bench in the cold staring at the
distance looking for the pin prick lights of approaching container vessels and
trying to avoid the glare of your chart plotter but still fascinated by its vital information. Imagine you are at home sitting in your favourite armchair watching the box when a gunman burst in and puts you and the TV in the corner of the garden, and orders you to watch it without turning round or he'll shoot your dog. He places a tea light at the end of the road and
tells you it will turn into a train that will run you down the moment you lose concentration or leave your chair for a second.
I love night watches.
The Bridge
Enterprise