Main Menu -> SALTS -> Pacific Odyessy - 2007 Offshore -> Pacific Odyssey - Leg 4 -> December 25th 2007 @ 23:30
Pacific Odyssey - Leg 4
Fiji to Papua New Guinea - for more information see http://www.salts.ca/010_SALTS_odyssey.htm
tracking Pacific Grace: 77 recorded positions
tracking Pacific Grace: 77 recorded positions
| Last Position: 5°10'0.01 S 145°49'48.00 E on December 25th 2007 @ 23:30 |
Ship's Log:
We woke up to a hot, clear, sunny day. Stockings for all 38 of us were
hanging below the fore boom. Brunch was at 1000 hrs and so we had a slow
morning, looking through our stockings, reading mail and enjoying Christmas
packages from home, swimming around the boat, sleeping longer etc. Gillian
and Katie had been up since 0600 making blueberry pancakes, mincemeat tarts=
,
cherry pies and stuffing. Chris=B9 parents donated real, Canadian maple syru=
p
for our pancakes; this is a very big treat, thank you very much from all of
us. After breakfast the two dressed turkeys went into the oven and
starboard watch started on the dishes while the rest of us cleaned up the
deck and brought all our bedding below. For Gillian and Katie, the
Christmas preparations, especially the cooking of the meals, are very
labor-intensive. Everyone pitches in to do whatever they can, but the
ultimate responsibility still rests on their shoulders; they do an amazing
job and we are all incredibly grateful for their effort in to making
Christmas what it is food-wise. A few days earlier, Gillian and I had bee=
n
sharing thoughts about Christmas at home, me admitting I was okay with not
having to organize everything for one year, despite the enjoyment it
provides. Yesterday she came to me again and said, =B3I think I understand
now what you meant about not missing the organizing of food, shopping etc.
for one year!=B2 I checked with both Gillian and Katie yesterday, and both
admitted, that although yes, it was a lot of work, they were happy and
enjoying themselves.
The 3 Anderson boys went rowing in the dugout canoe together; very cute.
Everyone was continually jumping into the ocean to try to cool down; though
it sounds like we are complaining, we are aware that we will miss the
swimming, the days and nights in bathing suits, the cool breezes in the
evening etc. The water feels beautiful to swim in. Mid-day Sarah B. and
Bec began taking orders for hot drinks; a mocha, hot apple cider, a
peppermint steamed milk, a cappuccino (thanks to a whisk), tea etc. Elske
and Sarah then began the job of standing in the galley, making and heating
milk, cocoa, coffee, tea and making drinks; they did an amazing job and we
were grateful. Drinks were served with vanilla/almond biscotti, chocolate
biscotti and gingerbread men, thanks to Gillian and Sarah B. We are
definitely not short on food this holiday. Yesterday we enjoyed chocolate
dipped shortbread cookies baked by Robyn and during the Talent Show we had
Tiana=B9s caramel cake and Thomas=B9 rum balls, all very delicious. Once
everyone had a drink we sat amidships, in the shade, by the tree, now
surrounded in presents, and Bonice read =B3The Gift of the Magi=B2 by O. Henry.
We then began opening the gifts, one at a time. I think this experience of
opening our homemade gifts together was the pinnacle of our Christmas
experience. We had all shared in the process of creating each gift, not
knowing for whom it was, hoping it was for us, and today, to see the intens=
e
pleasure and feeling of fulfillment, satisfaction and thankfulness of both
the giver and the receiver . . . it was quite something . . . the true
return of the giver was experienced. This experience is what sets our
Christmas apart and makes the more difficult parts worth it. We will have
more Christmas=B9 at home; this Christmas will be remembered forever along
with the lessons we=B9ve gleaned from it. We had Christmas dinner together
around the after cabin house. We transform it into a big table with
tablecloths (clean bed sheets), candles, cutlery, napkins (paper towel), an=
d
seating (fenders, 20 litre oil buckets and dory thwarts). With Karen and
Katie=B9s dad=B9s Christmas lights hanging around the after cabin hatch, it
looked very festive and fancy. The dress code for the meal was
semi-formal, which in our shipboard life now means =8Cwith underwear.=B9 For
supper we had salad with sliced almonds, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes,
gravy, brussel sprouts (yes! Gillian found them frozen in the supermarket)=
,
peas and mincemeat tarts and cherry pie for dessert. It was wonderful.
Everyone was dressed in nice clothes and there were a lot of photos taken.
As soon as we had finished eating, the rain started and continued for an
hour. We moved under the tarp that was still up amidships. Here Jordan
handed out specialty awards for everyone. These are little anecdotal award=
s
that point out characteristics in each other that we have all learned to
love, appreciate and put up with. There was much laughing. At about 2200
hrs everything was finished and the crew set to work cleaning up. It has
been an amazing day; one I hope the trainees will remember for a long time.
Good night, Bonice. Christmas from the following;
Mum, Dad, Amanda, Clayten and Bonnie: I hope you are all having a cozy
Christmas Day together; I am thinking of you, all my love, Robs.
Merry Christmas Mom, Dad, Rich, Greta, Paul, Ava, and Marcy; I miss you all=
,
especially Ava who I haven=B9t met yet. Love Matthew
Merry Christmas Mom, Pops, Grams, siss, and bro. Hope all is well thinking
about you a lot this very very hot holiday season. Love Scott
Mom, Dad, Erin: Merry merry Christmas; love and miss you so much and
thinking about you tons and can=B9t wait to talk to you all soon! Love Cales
Family and Friends, hope everything is well and your Christmas is enjoyable=
,
love you all and look forward to seeing you, Sam.
Dad, Mom, Josh, Betsy, Grandma Jo, and Papa, nana and Grandpa, Merry
Christmas! I love you! See you soon! Tell everyone else hi for me =AD Love
Julie
Merry Christmas Mom and Dan. Hope all is well in the cold. And I guess Da=
d
to. Talk to you all soon, Sean.
My dear and wide-scattered family =AD Much love at Christmas and prepare for =
a
fantastic New Thanksmas in January, love Kelly.
Merry Christmas everyone! Have fun skiing, see y=B9all in Guam, love Chase.
Merry Christmas Diamond Bay! Can=B9t wait to see you all in a few days! Stay
warm, love Tav.
Merry Christmas in Calgary and Mexico! I love you all: Dad, Mom, Becky,
Andrew, Stephanie, James, and Kurt; miss you lots! Love Sara.
Merry Christmas Mum, Dad, Jen, Jess, John, Veronica, Hanna, and Everyone in
Europe. Love you and miss you, Rachael.
Merry Christmas all. Hope you are having a warm and pleasant holiday, love
Tristan.
Merry Christmas! Jocelyn, Ariana, Kara, Bo, Robyn! I hope your holidays are
great! Have a great Christmas! Arwen.
Hi everyone back home, I=B9m having a blast here and we=B9ve been having a
fabulous Christmas. Enjoy the snow for me and have fun in Big White and
Vancouver! Love you Mom and Dad and the rest of the family, Love Tiana
Merry Merry Christmas Mom, Dad, Marijke and Bo. I love you all so much,
enjoy the white Christmas, can=B9t wait to see you! Love Naomi.
Merry Christmas my fellow Ladysmithers and Chemainiacs! Thanks for
everything Mom, Dad, Jake, and crew=8A I love you guys, Susan
Merry Christmas to all my amazing family in Pennsylvania and Canada!! Can=B9t
wait to see you all again! Love Brooks.
Bula P-units, Ally, Jaya, and rest of my lovely family, I=B9m sweating my
brains out wearing my C underwear happily, hope you are too, love love love
Tory.
Love you all =AD hope Christmas was super; see you soon, Andrew.
Thanks for the presents, everyone loved maple syrup, making popcorn soon,
wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Love Chris
Merry Christmas! I hope it is raining=8A Love Thomas
Merry Christmas Dad, Jen, & Colleen, Bev, Gord, Lynne, & Dan, Nancy, Trixie=
,
Ed & Andree, Jeff & Anna, Natalie, Wanda, Rod & Hanna, Kay, and all my othe=
r
wonderful friends: Love and Hugs =AD Gillian
=B3Two angels 2nd class fall asleep counting their blessings=8A and slip slowly
into madness. Hot Dog!=B2 Love K&K
Matt =AD Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Be strong, I love you. See you
soon! Love always, your Katie.
hanging below the fore boom. Brunch was at 1000 hrs and so we had a slow
morning, looking through our stockings, reading mail and enjoying Christmas
packages from home, swimming around the boat, sleeping longer etc. Gillian
and Katie had been up since 0600 making blueberry pancakes, mincemeat tarts=
,
cherry pies and stuffing. Chris=B9 parents donated real, Canadian maple syru=
p
for our pancakes; this is a very big treat, thank you very much from all of
us. After breakfast the two dressed turkeys went into the oven and
starboard watch started on the dishes while the rest of us cleaned up the
deck and brought all our bedding below. For Gillian and Katie, the
Christmas preparations, especially the cooking of the meals, are very
labor-intensive. Everyone pitches in to do whatever they can, but the
ultimate responsibility still rests on their shoulders; they do an amazing
job and we are all incredibly grateful for their effort in to making
Christmas what it is food-wise. A few days earlier, Gillian and I had bee=
n
sharing thoughts about Christmas at home, me admitting I was okay with not
having to organize everything for one year, despite the enjoyment it
provides. Yesterday she came to me again and said, =B3I think I understand
now what you meant about not missing the organizing of food, shopping etc.
for one year!=B2 I checked with both Gillian and Katie yesterday, and both
admitted, that although yes, it was a lot of work, they were happy and
enjoying themselves.
The 3 Anderson boys went rowing in the dugout canoe together; very cute.
Everyone was continually jumping into the ocean to try to cool down; though
it sounds like we are complaining, we are aware that we will miss the
swimming, the days and nights in bathing suits, the cool breezes in the
evening etc. The water feels beautiful to swim in. Mid-day Sarah B. and
Bec began taking orders for hot drinks; a mocha, hot apple cider, a
peppermint steamed milk, a cappuccino (thanks to a whisk), tea etc. Elske
and Sarah then began the job of standing in the galley, making and heating
milk, cocoa, coffee, tea and making drinks; they did an amazing job and we
were grateful. Drinks were served with vanilla/almond biscotti, chocolate
biscotti and gingerbread men, thanks to Gillian and Sarah B. We are
definitely not short on food this holiday. Yesterday we enjoyed chocolate
dipped shortbread cookies baked by Robyn and during the Talent Show we had
Tiana=B9s caramel cake and Thomas=B9 rum balls, all very delicious. Once
everyone had a drink we sat amidships, in the shade, by the tree, now
surrounded in presents, and Bonice read =B3The Gift of the Magi=B2 by O. Henry.
We then began opening the gifts, one at a time. I think this experience of
opening our homemade gifts together was the pinnacle of our Christmas
experience. We had all shared in the process of creating each gift, not
knowing for whom it was, hoping it was for us, and today, to see the intens=
e
pleasure and feeling of fulfillment, satisfaction and thankfulness of both
the giver and the receiver . . . it was quite something . . . the true
return of the giver was experienced. This experience is what sets our
Christmas apart and makes the more difficult parts worth it. We will have
more Christmas=B9 at home; this Christmas will be remembered forever along
with the lessons we=B9ve gleaned from it. We had Christmas dinner together
around the after cabin house. We transform it into a big table with
tablecloths (clean bed sheets), candles, cutlery, napkins (paper towel), an=
d
seating (fenders, 20 litre oil buckets and dory thwarts). With Karen and
Katie=B9s dad=B9s Christmas lights hanging around the after cabin hatch, it
looked very festive and fancy. The dress code for the meal was
semi-formal, which in our shipboard life now means =8Cwith underwear.=B9 For
supper we had salad with sliced almonds, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes,
gravy, brussel sprouts (yes! Gillian found them frozen in the supermarket)=
,
peas and mincemeat tarts and cherry pie for dessert. It was wonderful.
Everyone was dressed in nice clothes and there were a lot of photos taken.
As soon as we had finished eating, the rain started and continued for an
hour. We moved under the tarp that was still up amidships. Here Jordan
handed out specialty awards for everyone. These are little anecdotal award=
s
that point out characteristics in each other that we have all learned to
love, appreciate and put up with. There was much laughing. At about 2200
hrs everything was finished and the crew set to work cleaning up. It has
been an amazing day; one I hope the trainees will remember for a long time.
Good night, Bonice. Christmas from the following;
Mum, Dad, Amanda, Clayten and Bonnie: I hope you are all having a cozy
Christmas Day together; I am thinking of you, all my love, Robs.
Merry Christmas Mom, Dad, Rich, Greta, Paul, Ava, and Marcy; I miss you all=
,
especially Ava who I haven=B9t met yet. Love Matthew
Merry Christmas Mom, Pops, Grams, siss, and bro. Hope all is well thinking
about you a lot this very very hot holiday season. Love Scott
Mom, Dad, Erin: Merry merry Christmas; love and miss you so much and
thinking about you tons and can=B9t wait to talk to you all soon! Love Cales
Family and Friends, hope everything is well and your Christmas is enjoyable=
,
love you all and look forward to seeing you, Sam.
Dad, Mom, Josh, Betsy, Grandma Jo, and Papa, nana and Grandpa, Merry
Christmas! I love you! See you soon! Tell everyone else hi for me =AD Love
Julie
Merry Christmas Mom and Dan. Hope all is well in the cold. And I guess Da=
d
to. Talk to you all soon, Sean.
My dear and wide-scattered family =AD Much love at Christmas and prepare for =
a
fantastic New Thanksmas in January, love Kelly.
Merry Christmas everyone! Have fun skiing, see y=B9all in Guam, love Chase.
Merry Christmas Diamond Bay! Can=B9t wait to see you all in a few days! Stay
warm, love Tav.
Merry Christmas in Calgary and Mexico! I love you all: Dad, Mom, Becky,
Andrew, Stephanie, James, and Kurt; miss you lots! Love Sara.
Merry Christmas Mum, Dad, Jen, Jess, John, Veronica, Hanna, and Everyone in
Europe. Love you and miss you, Rachael.
Merry Christmas all. Hope you are having a warm and pleasant holiday, love
Tristan.
Merry Christmas! Jocelyn, Ariana, Kara, Bo, Robyn! I hope your holidays are
great! Have a great Christmas! Arwen.
Hi everyone back home, I=B9m having a blast here and we=B9ve been having a
fabulous Christmas. Enjoy the snow for me and have fun in Big White and
Vancouver! Love you Mom and Dad and the rest of the family, Love Tiana
Merry Merry Christmas Mom, Dad, Marijke and Bo. I love you all so much,
enjoy the white Christmas, can=B9t wait to see you! Love Naomi.
Merry Christmas my fellow Ladysmithers and Chemainiacs! Thanks for
everything Mom, Dad, Jake, and crew=8A I love you guys, Susan
Merry Christmas to all my amazing family in Pennsylvania and Canada!! Can=B9t
wait to see you all again! Love Brooks.
Bula P-units, Ally, Jaya, and rest of my lovely family, I=B9m sweating my
brains out wearing my C underwear happily, hope you are too, love love love
Tory.
Love you all =AD hope Christmas was super; see you soon, Andrew.
Thanks for the presents, everyone loved maple syrup, making popcorn soon,
wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Love Chris
Merry Christmas! I hope it is raining=8A Love Thomas
Merry Christmas Dad, Jen, & Colleen, Bev, Gord, Lynne, & Dan, Nancy, Trixie=
,
Ed & Andree, Jeff & Anna, Natalie, Wanda, Rod & Hanna, Kay, and all my othe=
r
wonderful friends: Love and Hugs =AD Gillian
=B3Two angels 2nd class fall asleep counting their blessings=8A and slip slowly
into madness. Hot Dog!=B2 Love K&K
Matt =AD Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Be strong, I love you. See you
soon! Love always, your Katie.
Observations:
very hot, no wind
Readings:
| processed: 2007-12-27 00:45:05 |
