More then 10 Ice Bergs were observed over the past ten hours. This along with a change in wind direction has meant that we take a Northerly route for safety and smoother sailing.
Although at the moment the seas, although not big, are rather sharp and difficult to navigate through. Often we are falling off waves crashing down into the troughs with a bone shuddering thump. She is a strong ship and we are looking after her in these conditions.
Cooking is another matter. It is very difficult to come up with a five course meal in these conditions. The soup spills, the oysters slide off the plate, the roast pork is difficult to slice and the chocolate sweet cake will not rise in the oven. Oh we wish!
Orders are now being taken in anticipation of our arrival in the Falklands with steak and red wine very high on the list. Still the Falklands are a long way off at the moment being 2900nm to the East.
So we batten down and make the best of what we have. “A wonderful experience”
Mark McRae
54.14S 145.12W
27/01/2009
Icebergs!
Life on board Alye Parusa keeps getting better.
Last night as we sailed through the darkness of the fifties we had a feeling that we might be closer to more Ice Bergs. The air was extremely chilly with any exposed skin burning with cold. The water temperature fell to six degrees. We all knew we must be close.
As the sun rose this morning I was awakened by Dennis asking me to come quickly to the cockpit. Dragging clothes on quickly, expecting the unknown, I scrambled up the companionway steps to find nearly all of the crew gazing into the distance. There before us were magnificent Ice Bergs, gleaming in the morning sun. Two ahead, two to Starboard and one big fat old fellow behind. Our escape route was to the North so with a stern command from our watch captain away we sailed. North again not only in search of wind but also to escape from these amazing “ice blocks”.
The bird life, particularly the albatross, have become quite used to us over the past week. I am sure one, with a magnificent wing span of perhaps nine feet, is quite happy flying in close to us, at times sweeping across our bow, sometimes hovering at our stern looking down on us as if we are invading his territory. The fish is another matter. There aren@@apos@@t any although the night before last small squid were observed swimming just below the surface. Calamari was the whispered word however we returned to the cockpit some what saddened by our fishing skills and so scrambled eggs for dinner.
The forecast for the next twenty four hour period is again for light winds however by late tomorrow night we expect some fresh winds to drive us towards Cape Horn.
Mark McRae