A gorgeous Saturday at sea aboard the Picton Castle. We couldn’t ask for better weather, the hot sun shines politely down on deck as a cool constant breeze runs over our suntanned skin. This morning a team of sailmaking helpers, including Sue, Braham, and Erin, assisted the ship’s sailmaker John by seaming together a new spanker and worked on mending an old one.
In the rigging department, Abbey was busy aloft greasing stays and lift cables. Annie and Brittni worked on oiling the blocks on the foremast and mainmast. The majority of our blocks on the ship are wooden. They spend days and days in the hot South Pacific sun which causes the wood to dry out, like a person becoming dehydrated. In order to hydrate them, we apply a thin coat of linseed oil. It’s like a sunblock too. This requires the crew member to harness up, climb up and down the rigging, clip in, all the while having a paint can filled a quarter of the way with oil attached to them. It’s well worth the effort, and being up mast, high off the deck, with more wind in your hair, is an amazing break from down below and also a moment of solitude; just you and your bucket & brush.
In other exciting news, our single sideband radio was able to pick up a New Zealand radio station! Do not get me wrong: being away from land, shore life and all it embodies is beyond refreshing; but hearing a new song is wonderful. As well, tomorrow we’re celebrating Halloween! This afternoon the Secret Scare Committee will hold a meeting in order to hash out the festivities. It’s going to be spooktacular! Ship’s boy Dawson is particularly excited.
From: Vanuatu
Towards: Bali
Date: Saturday, October 27
Noon Position: 15°38.9′ S x 163°24’E
Course + Speed: W + 4.4 kts
Wind direction + Force: SE + 3
Swell Height + Direction: 1-2m + SE
Weather: Bright, sunny
Day’s Run: 104.5 nm
Passage Log: 105.7 nm
Distance to Port: 1957 nm
Voyage: 10596.9 nm
Sails Set: flying jib, inner jib, fore topmast stays’l, all square sails, main topmast stays’l, main t’gallant stays’l, mizzen topmast stays’l, spanker.