We should have enough wind to sail again tonight according to Clearpoint's prediction. Last night we had a nice sail in light to moderate conditions with misty rain in a local weather system. We have been using Clearpoint (http://clearpointweather.com/) for our weather prediction for the past couple of years. Our Australia to New Caledonia and Vanuatu cruise on our J130 Ragtime last year increased our faith in Clearpoint. We left Brisbane in a westerly using Clearpoint's predictions and had a fantastic downwind sail to Noumea.
There has been no traffic at all. When we left Acapulco we saw 2 huge container ships on the 1st night out but there has been nothing since.
Large numbers of birds, turtles and dolphins are our constant companions. For the past 4 hours we have seen literally hundreds of turtles. Every 100 metres there is at least one turtle and usually 5 or more in close sight. They are not afraid of us at all. They seem to be as curious about us as we are of them. When they are right beside the boat they roll over and have a look at us and give us a lazy wave of the flipper. We are not deviating from our course ... they are coming to us. We have been absolutely fascinated calling 1 o'clock ... 5 o'clock .... 9 o'clock
There has been no traffic at all. When we left Acapulco we saw 2 huge container ships on the 1st night out but there has been nothing since.
Large numbers of birds, turtles and dolphins are our constant companions. For the past 4 hours we have seen literally hundreds of turtles. Every 100 metres there is at least one turtle and usually 5 or more in close sight. They are not afraid of us at all. They seem to be as curious about us as we are of them. When they are right beside the boat they roll over and have a look at us and give us a lazy wave of the flipper. We are not deviating from our course ... they are coming to us. We have been absolutely fascinated calling 1 o'clock ... 5 o'clock .... 9 o'clock
It is at least 4300 metres deep here. One of those wonderful special days that you will never forget.
Cyndy's brother Clyde is working in the Solomon Islands and traditionally the local fishermen have a symbolic Dolphin and a Turtle on board their vessels for protection. Clyde had a dolphin and a turtle carved out of single shells by local artisans for Salacia to keep her safe and they have pride of place on board in the main cabin.
We are amazed that each time we leave port we are escorted by schools of dolphins. In all of our years of sailing we have never had such constant guard of honor of dolphins and we can only put it down to the "Salacia legend" (http://salacia1.blogspot.com/2010/03/salacia-in-ancient-roman-mythology.html). By total coincidence, when we bought Salacia she had a painting of dolphins in the master cabin.
Cyndy's brother Clyde is working in the Solomon Islands and traditionally the local fishermen have a symbolic Dolphin and a Turtle on board their vessels for protection. Clyde had a dolphin and a turtle carved out of single shells by local artisans for Salacia to keep her safe and they have pride of place on board in the main cabin.
We are amazed that each time we leave port we are escorted by schools of dolphins. In all of our years of sailing we have never had such constant guard of honor of dolphins and we can only put it down to the "Salacia legend" (http://salacia1.blogspot.com/2010/03/salacia-in-ancient-roman-mythology.html). By total coincidence, when we bought Salacia she had a painting of dolphins in the master cabin.
I have just heard another call of "dolphins" from the deck :-) This time it is a school of large dolphins. Up until now most of the dolphins have been tiny with a pronounced fin. Ross got splashed with the gymnastics.
So on that note I am off again to see how many more turtles I can see before dark. It is 6.25pm but it will be a late dinner tonight. I made a huge salad for late lunch so I will make dinner late tonight when it is cooler.
No comments:
Post a Comment