Sunday at sea. We were visited by plenty of sea birds today and what looked like hundreds of dolphins approaching broad side-to in a long line off to port. They got close enough to have a good look at us and then turned away to the southeast, still in formation. And a ‘Shellbacks Only’ marlinspike […]
The crew of Picton Castle were shocked and saddened by the news of the vast destruction reportedly caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam to the tiny and beautiful island nation of Vanuatu. It wasn’t so long ago that we were last there, trading clothes, knives and pots and pans for fresh fruit, handmade baskets and
DATE: March 14th, 2015 REMARKS: We hove-to after lunch so Neptune’s Court could come aboard and complete the usual Line-Crossing ceremonies today. All went very well, and the new shellbacks are enjoying the coolness of their new haircuts. SHIPS WORK: No additional ship’s work today. BOUND FROM: James Bay, St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean TOWARDS:
DATE: March 13th, 2015 REMARKS: Another squally day and lumpy cross seas coming with some of the larger squalls. SHIPS WORK: Hard to get ship’s work done on deck in squally, wet weather. The bosun has set up a workshop in the cargo hold to work on various wire splices and seizings, under the shade
Crossed the equator at twenty past midnight and longitude 029° 31.4’W. PICTON CASTLE is back in the Northern Hemisphere for the fist time since Panama in November 2012. Neptune’s Court is delayed due to squally weather, but expected any day now. SHIPS WORK: Rainy day projects: cleaning breezeway and aloha deck overhead, organize hold, splice
We wore ship from port to starboard tack yesterday, and now we’re making more westing and skirting the equator – the line was just 22 nautical miles to our north at noon and the pollywogs are getting nervous. SHIPS WORK: Work on the cap stay continues, spot painted buff aft and varnish on the main
Dolphins came to play in the bow wave today, maybe 15 of them including a tiny baby, they stayed for a good half hour rolling over each other and leaping and diving before gambolling off to port. SHIPS WORK: Service on the lower end of new cap stay, two coats of varnish on new fore
Studdingsail Tradewind Dawn We came up on the quarterdeck this morning for watch at 0400 to find the ship sailing along easily under studding sails on a big moon, shimmering sea night. A warm easterly trade wind was blowing softly over the starboard quarter. Yards are braced ahead from square a point or so. The
Saw a big mahi mahi jump several feet out of the water today, just off the port beam – it looked like it was being chased by dolphins. Nothing on the fishing lines though, maybe we’re not going fast enough to be tempting. We seem to be past the worst of the squalls now, and
Sunday at sea. More squalls, alternating beautiful sunshine and heavy, soaked-to-the-underwear showers. Amy and Turi organised a games afternoon in the salon before supper with popcorn – pictionary, backgammon and a very silly pirate card game were the most popular. SHIPS WORK: No ship’s work today, but lots of sail handling and bracing for the
