Position: 29 degrees, 37 minutes south; 179 degrees, 21 minutes west (over the date line)

Being out here on the vast ocean between New Zealand and Fiji gives you a lot of time to think. Today I was thinking about Bob and his self-proclaimed Charlie Brown comparison. It is a good fit. We really do start out that bundled up and slowly as the weather warms up we lose a layer. Today I spent my watches without my foul weather jacket on. That’s big. (Bob, however got the watch with the major rain and squalls so had to still wear his). One day soon I may even change out of my long johns. But I don’t want to tempt fate so I am still in them.

The other item of warmth that relates to this blog that I have yet to abandon is my sea boots. These boots are easy to jump into when called to help. They keep my feet warm and dry. Only one problem….they seem to make my feet even bigger! Yes, I have big feet. When you put sea boots on them a whole different dance ensues…of course all choreographed to the song of Charisma that Bob shared the other night.

Well I wish it was that graceful but the truth is that it is not graceful at all. I am on watch, warm and cozy, tethered in. I get up to check for any traffic around us. As I step back down off of the bench and into the cockpit the tether wraps around my legs. Remember I just did a 360 degree traffic check. And then here comes the really graceful part….i try to descend the companionway steps to use the facilities.

It becomes comical watching me try to untangle these big feet from the tether and descend the stairs. No putting two feet on one step, they just won’t fit. So I shuffle to the side and hang onto the hatchway to free myself. Mind you, I would never give up the boots because of the great support that they provide when bracing myself in the bathroom. NEVER use the head on a boat in stocking feet when the boat is underway. It is just not safe and quite frustrating. Sea boots with non-skid soles. Essential.

So Big Foot reigns supreme until the weather is warm enough to change to my Teva sandals. Oh the little things that amuse me on passages.