Pacific Odyssey - Leg 6

The general mood today was low-key.  Most trainees are dealing pretty
well with sea sickness, only a handful actually threw up, and they are
taking it in stride.  Life has slowed down and many slept the day away; it
takes a few days to get used to the motion, everything requires a huge
effort i.e. using the head, getting below to put on warmer clothes, filling
a water bottle etc.  The wind is on the beam and we have been making good
speed all day, averaging 7 knots and even making up to 8 or 9 knots
regularly.  We are sailing under the trysail, foresail and jumbo with the
engine off . . . aaah, heavenly.  Last night the ship started rolling
side-to-side and the motion has continued throughout the day; it was
difficult to sleep.  James fell out of his bunk twice when a big wave caused
the ship to roll deeply.  Gabriel fell out once; we will have to remind them
to use their lee cloths which help keep them in their bunks.  In the foc´sle,
Sara R. was counting on a port tack and partway through the night was
surprised when her ´shelves´ of stuff emptied themselves on top of her (her
´shelf´ is the shelf clamp beam that runs fore and aft on the hull inside
the frames).  The water comes in through the scuppers and over the rail,
soaking the deck and occasionally, an unsuspecting trainee or crew who is
making their way carefully from the foc´sle hatch to the stern on a moving
deck.   Regularly, a huge wave hits the starboard hull with a hard ´thunk´
and water sprays over the ship, again surprising a trainee and even dousing
the helmsperson and people sitting along the bosuns´ seats in the stern.
Sean offered graciously to bring the garbage to the bow and was soaked doing
this good deed.  Sophia and Chris were a great help to Gillian in the galley
today, chopping and slicing vegetables when Gillian was feeling ill.  The
watches were pretty scarce at lunch time and the dish crew was small, but by
supper, nearly everyone was eating a delicious stew with rolls, and able to
help with dishes.   Raven is being interrogated by Jose´s watch; there is a
lot of laughing and honesty happening.  Noah and Simon played chess with
each other and with James.  Origami is still going strong in the after
cabin, with new designs being taught and attempted by Leighsa and Arwen.
Yesterday Sarah B. made a chart entitled the ´Landfall Lottery.´ Everyone
has a chance to guess the date of our arrival in Hawaii, and to submit their
entry.  There will be a prize for the winner.  So far the earliest arrival
is Sean at April 17th, and the latest arrival Sara R. at April 24th.   The
motion has steadied out somewhat and everyone is hoping for a better sleep.
The temperature on deck is cold but not the biting cold of our crossings
near and around Shanghai and Japan.  We are thankful.  Until tomorrow,
good-night, Bonice.