Position: 03 degrees, 48 minutes South; 129 degrees, 51 minutes West (134 NM day)
Squalls started at about 0200 local time this morning and continued all into the early afternoon. Quite a breezy day. So once again we’re down to double reef and 40% jib and still doing about 7.5 knots although on average for the day we’re more at 6 knots.
Ann worked very hard today. She got bored on her early morning watch (2 am -6:3-0 am) so cleaned out the icebox and the head, then in the afternoon did a bunch of laundry. Makes me look like a slacker, although I did catch and process a fish. We think it was a Skipjack. Not one of my favorites, it’s a bit strong tasting, but I marinated it in lemon wasabi and cooked it with sautéed red onions, then served it on leftover rice and hominy. Ended up pretty good (and hey; “Free Spirit Dave”, we opened the wine you gave us tonight with the fish. Delicious!). Tomorrow, the other half of the fish will be cooked Veracruz style with chopped tomatoes, garlic and whatever else I can find over pasta.
Ann’s doing the nightly net right now. She’s getting pretty good with the radio. She has a five o’clock call with some of her friends on “8 Bravo” to chat up what they’ve been doing today and now she’s reporting in for us on the nightly net on” 8 Alpha” where we report our position each day at 0200 Zulu. It’s kind of a combination of a safety call where all the 20 or so boats that are enroute to Marquesas right now can check in. It’s also a chance to catch up with how everyone’s doing. The boats on the net are spread out from one that is due to make landfall tomorrow (after 37 days!) to one that just left Mexico a couple days ago and is probably a couple hundred miles out.
Messages: Jerry, I can totally see you “heaving to” in your Durango. Love it! I can also see you with a patch over one eye and a Popeye hat, but that’s another story. Joan: Landfall expected sometime in the next 5 or 6 days. And we’re excited the bike is getting a workout. And the bread has been yummy! Angela: Your posts are getting through and we are glad to have you following. We love comments! Cliff – tell the 5 am spin class to keep pedaling – the winds are really pushing us along. I guess Shellbacks move faster! Sue – Did Andy enjoy being on Charisma (new and improved) in your dream? Too funny!
so it was Missy’s dream – not mine!! Better hurry onto the Marquesas cuz I can’t wait to see the pictures since apart from Missy’s dream we can ‘t just come “hangout” with you.
I hope that squalls means moderate summer rain showers. Say versus monsoons. I must say, Commodore Bob, that you have one most excellent crew. I suggest that you not piss her off. You may find yourself walking ye ol’ gangplank.
In sympathy with you guys Pat and I went to Pillar Point yesterday. No boating, just a nice stroll along the beach. Followed by a sumptuous lunch and stout brew at the Half Moon Bay Brewery – are you jealous?
I’m sure I’ll be jealous after you catch a big, fat tuna and have super fresh sushi. I should have given you some killer sake for such occasions. Next time.
Just wanted to let you know I did the switchbacks up PV drive East yesterday and am here to type about it!! Felt like I could have walked up faster! Land HO!! xo J
I’m so impressed by Ann’s cleaning frenzy. I don’t want to clean even when we’re at anchor! LOL I relish boredom, but I suppose it would be different if I were in the middle of the ocean for a few weeks! Hope you catch a good dorado or yellowfin soon!