The Picton Castle is bound for the Cape of Good Hope and then Cape Town. We sailed from Reunion on Monday February 5th. This French island was lovely, friendly and peaceful, but not cheap.
Sailing day came in fair with blue skies, puffy popcorn clouds and small seas. Winds had diminished overnight so the 4-8 watch set royals, flying jib and other upper staysails. Wash down was pleasant. The breeze is a bit cooler which is quite welcome. Ship’s work is some rigging aloft, overhauling the fore t’gallant brace blocks, tarring new ratlines and a lovely day for varnishing and painting. Nate, ever keen on learning all he can, is a dayman in the engine room under Julien. Clara is aloft rigging with fierce determination. Edmund has taken over as lead seaman pro-temp. Trainees that advance and demonstrate the right attitudes often get a chance to serve as lead seamen. My 11-year old son Dawson is doing reading with Diane and classes with his mum, and soon will be getting a course in seamanship with the guidance of his shipmates.
We have seen many ships today. Maersk Halifax, PMS Enzian, big ships, including the Queen Mary ll. Some 1,000 feet long, 160 foot beam and 60 foot draft. All on the track from South Africa to Sunda Strait and on to Asia. We have sailed out of the tropics today crossing the Tropic of Cancer. Making good time, yards squared and a fair breeze.
