Frosty made an appearance today! Frosty the snowman that is, the longest standing ship Christmas decoration, he dates back to the first world voyage! Hoisted on the foremast, just above the main mast stay, he sits proudly above the well deck. Being that it’s 11 days until Christmas, preparations are gearing up. The baking sign up sheet was posted this morning. Starting next week crew are able to make their own delicious baking, we save them and on the day we will get to enjoy a wide range of Christmas cookies and treats, sharing with each other a little something from home.
Although Christmas is on the brain, ship’s work is still first and foremost; priming on the quarterdeck metal railings continues. While carpenter Carlos patiently waits for the epoxy glue to set on a scarf in the spanker gaff he sharpens and cleans the carpenter tools – always a good task to keep on top of. The riggers were busy today, James of Rhode Island lent a hand and rove new fore lower topsail gear, this involves marrying the bitter end of the old buntline with the bitter end of the new buntline, sewing them together, then climbing aloft and hauling the old line through the block replacing it with the new manila. On the foc’s’l head, Anne-Laure of France replaced the inner jib sheet, while medical officer Jen of Nova Scotia spliced an eye into the new port foresail sheet, finished off the splice with two whippings and, with the help of Anders, replaced the port foresail sheet. Up on the quarterdeck, the sailmakers had the new spanker laid out, Ted worked away at marlin hitching for the tabling to be done tomorrow. All in all, it’s been a lovely Friday onboard Picton Castle, which will conclude with a healthy serving of cake to celebrate the birthday of our shipmate Rhyanne of North Carolina!
From: Bali, Indonesia
Towards: Rodrigues
Date: Friday, December 14, 2018
Noon Position: 12°18.6′ S – 105°25.8′ E
Course + Speed: W 1/2 S + 2.8 kts
Wind direction + Force: SSE + 1
Swell Height + Direction: 1-2m + SSE
Weather: Hot
Day’s Run: 68.1 nm
Passage Log: 68.6 nm
Distance to Port: 2456 nm
Voyage: 14472.4 nm
Sails Set: All sails set except spanker, gaff topsail, and mizzen stays’l