Day 11- Tuesday
Today was an exciting day! In the early hours of the morning a ship came out the darkness, which in itself has not been altogether unusual although out here it certainly hasn’t been frequent as we are not in a shipping lane. It appeared that it was going to pass us easily. It was moving at some speed possibly up to 30kts and before we knew it had crossed our bow leaving us bouncing across its wake.
The guys sleeping in the back cabin woke up with a start the lights of the ship which we think was an ore carrier, shining in their window.
Warwick made a bacon and egg stir fry for breakfast and it was gobbled down in nervous energy. The day settled into it’s usually pattern. The sun was shining and we were moving steadily on a slow wind. Encouraged by Kevin, who seems to have early morning beans every day, Mike and Mark decided to have another attempt at fixing the engine. The prognosis after some hours was that the starter motor was “truly fried”. I guess that means no motor or hot water till we get to Brazil.
In the meantime, the wind had died down to nothing and we had haul down the sails. It was time to experience the deep blue water. Kevin led the way – always send out the largest first, I say, especially when they calmly explain that it’s easy to keep sharks away, by just hitting them on their nose if they get to close – followed by myself and then Warwick. The water was a perfect temperature we guess around 22 degrees Celsius and the water so clean and transparent words can’t describe. When you looked down you could literally see as far as yours eyes could focus, although you couldnot see the bottom some 5 km down. It exemplified the true meaning of the “blue” in sea and the first time I can really relate to the colour. It was easy to see the underneath of Hot Ice and her keel and propeller. She was looking clean and smooth.
Hot ice continued to move with the wind at 1.5 kts and we did not let the ladder get to far out of reach even though we could swim and catch up quite easily. I think it’s just the notion that being left behind could be life threatening. Unfortunately there was no sea life.
Back on board the wind picked up a bit later and we were able to make slow head way. This continued into the evening. We are expecting no wind tomorrow as per the forecast and we also need to be slightly further north if we are to get any wind at all. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Mark made a pork banger casserole he thought up before breakfast, something he does on a regular basis at sea he says. Usually it works out he explained and it did. It was scoffed down without a morsel left for seconds.
Mark and Warwick are the scrabble players on board and they are now one match a piece. Kevin, Jean and myself have read at least 3 books, Shaun is busy with his second and Warwick is reading, Moby Dick of all books, what he tells us is very long.
We went to bed on a very flat see and we all are expecting a good night’s sleep.
Adios Amigos! Tomorrows another day.