Thursday 7 October 2010

Picton Castle at sea; Thursday 7 October 2010 בס"ד

On morning watch, I pretty much spent any of my free time working out on the quarterdeck. I plotted midnight on the actual chart and on a universal plotting sheet. I cleaned the galley, boiled water for hot water and coffee, and then took in and set the main tgallant staysl. I did wakeups at 0330, and told everybody it was nice out but when they came on deck, a squall passed by, so I was “that guy.” In the afternoon I actually walked out on the martingalestays to put more aluminum primer on the bobstays. After, I nipped bunts aloft, but then we ended up wearing ship, and so did bracing and then passed the headsls and sheets. At one point we heard a “HANDS TO SECURE THE BOAT!” and ran to the skiff which started sliding off the hatch with one of the huge rolls when the straps had been removed. Stood fourth helm steering WNW and then NW 1/2W and then WNW again. At 1630 we had another workshop on rigging, then Robert and I tried playing chess but we failed because it was too rolly and the pieces wouldn't stay put. I started reading Casino Royale, which I bought in Suva, and then watched some of the Patriot in the forepeak with others. The focsle had a wild party for Rebecca's birthday, but I was too tired to peek my head in. I did see that our coconut moonshine was requisitioned for this event, and I heard it made all that consumed it absolutely insane. Luckily nobody died or went blind.