7th January 2002 Still no parcels and now the weather has broken with the approach of a new low pressure. It is so frustrating to see them waste the opportunity of good weather. I’m not sure if I will ever get those parcels. I was up at 6 this morning working in the factory as … Continue reading Day 82
Author: Ross James
Day 81
6th January 2002 The weather toady is fine and dandy. I had forgotten what calm sea looks like and I must say it is a very welcome sight. Despite the weather we didn’t make the transshipment with the Christina. It seems the captain couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery. I am disappointed but … Continue reading Day 81
Day 80
5th January 2002 It’s been 80 days since I left home. Michael Palin would be on his final leg of his circumnavigation of the globe, for me however, I am still circumnavigating the Grand Banks. We are back in the south with a 30 knot wind, an air temperature of -15, and god knows how … Continue reading Day 80
Day 77
2nd January 2002 The snow fell through the night. My cabin felt like the refrigerated cargo holds. I slept with my head under the blankets as it was so cold that I got an ice cream headache when I put my head out! From the bridge I could see that the roof of my cabin … Continue reading Day 77
Day 76
1st January 2002 New Year’s Day I woke up and felt okay, if a bit jaded. I went up on the bridge to watch the haul and saw two sperm whales. A good start to a New Year. The weather changed from a snow blizzard to sunshine in about 30 seconds. The sun has been … Continue reading Day 76
Day 75
31st December 2001 New Year’s Eve This morning I wrenched myself from the warm slumber of my cocoon-like bed and indulged in the glut of tea that has been produced from the stores. Proper tea, or as damn near to it as you’ll get here. It’s the wishy washy English Breakfast tea you get abroad, … Continue reading Day 75
Day 73
29th December 2001 Today was some of the finest weather in all of December, but that says more about the weather in December than today. As I write the weather is getting worse again. It seems almost every night we go through a low pressure which whips up 40-knot winds and battering waves. I’ve discovered … Continue reading Day 73
Day 71
27th December 2001 Every day, and sometimes more than once, I look at the calendar and count the days. I have come up with ways of making the time [sound] less. The main way is to deduct 7 days from the end of the trip. The last seven days I’ll discount on the grounds that … Continue reading Day 71
Day 70
26th December 2001 Boxing day isn’t celebrated in Portugal so today is just another day on board. It’s a bright day though banks of fog keep moving in. I went out on the bow after lunch for some fresh air and spent a good while out there before a bank of fog came over and … Continue reading Day 70
Day 69
25th December 2001 Apparently Christmas Day isn't much celebrated in Portugal, with Christmas Eve being the main event. Certainly on the boat it was a day like any other except there was more alcohol with lunch. Nonetheless I had a little Christmas morning for myself. The ridiculousness of it cheered me up. I felt … Continue reading Day 69