Day’s Run – 31 December, 2018

Monday December 31st, 2018

Those who were awake while it was still dark were able to enjoy a gorgeous Monday morning red and orange sunrise, the last sunrise of 2018. Woah, what a year it’s been for our Picton Castle crew members. Adventuring out into this entirely different way of life, with all new people from different parts of the globe, overcoming fears – whether it’s climbing aloft, or cooking for 40+ people – our crew here can easily say they’ve been challenged more than they thought they would.

On today’s agenda, we change out the fore lower topsail! Rigger Anne-Laure and Bosun Anders led the team in sending down the light weather fore lower topsail, prepared the heavier weather version, and sent it up with the help of Robert, Sue, Kimba and Nic. They had the canvas bent onto the yard by 1500. On top of the galley house, carpenter Carlos and his apprentice this week Valerian, of Belgium, worked on caulking the bottom of our Lunenburg Dory Shop dory Sea Never Dry. And our veggie locker lids recieved another coat of varnish.

Once ship’s work wrapped up for the day, our party planning committee threw a New Years bash. A “Happy New Year” sign hung from the scuttle doors, music played, popcorn served, and dancing on the hatch, a fantastic way to celebrate the ending of 2018 and a new beginning: 2019. After dinner on the hatch a lovely nanaimo bar dessert prepared and served by Stephanie, of British Columbia, and a hilarious game of charades was played between the watches. Once the sun retired for the night, so did the crew, until midnight when those who wanted to were able to enjoy the ringing in of the new year by shooting off some extra flares. Because how often are you in the middle of the Indian Ocean, with nothing but blue salt water and a black starry sky surrounding you while you celebrate the beginning of another year?

Happy New Year from the Picton Castle, Indian Ocean crossing 2018/2019.

From: Bali, Indonesia

Towards: Rodrigues

Date: Monday December 31st, 2018

Noon Position: 17°58.1’S x 075°48.9’E

Course + Speed: W by N 1/2N + 4.6 kts

Wind direction + Force: E + 3

Swell Height + Direction: 1 1/2 m + ESE, NE

Weather: Sunny

Day’s Run: 109.3 nm

Passage Log: 2394.1 nm

Distance to Port: 711.0 nm

Voyage: 16426.9 nm

Sails Set: All sails including stuns’ls