Pacific Odyssey - Leg 6

Today we celebrated Blake´s 19th birthday.  There were blueberry
pancakes for breakfast and we are looking forward to the chocolate cupcakes
with 19 candles for desert.  Arwen and Maddie are baking in the galley with
fore watch while fore watch cleans up; there are lots of dishes after a huge
and delicious roast beef dinner.  The boat is a busy place; people have a
lot of excited energy tonight.  In the after cabin we have Tristan playing
chess with Simon, Bec writing a letter beside him, Katie having her hair
braided by Leighsa and being watched by Sarah B. who is trying to get some
sleep; Jose is playing his guitar and singing, Jacob is watching the chess
game, Skipper is tickling Noah in the cabin, Antony is on watch and plotting
a course on the chart in the navigation station, and I am recording it all
in the log . . . yes, it´s a bit crazy.  We have been motoring all day, the
wind is very light.  Skipper has been studying the weather faxes from
previous days and the pilot charts.  We are in the belt between 30 and 35
degrees latitude where the winds are variable; we could get wind from any
direction.  Skipper brought the charts up on deck and explained our position
in relation to wind possibilities, hi and low pressure systems and where we
want to be if they come.  The wind is unpredictable and we cannot know
exactly when we will arrive and where we will arrive in the Hawaiian Islands
until we are about 500 miles close to them.  At 1400hrs we held a service on
deck around the wheel; we turned the engine off and drifted quietly for a
few hours at 2 knots.  Several crew members spoke personally of experiences
where they intentionally allowed themselves to be known and how that
experience opened them to a deeper relationship with someone.  We are
discussing the idea that ´one can only be loved as well as one is known.´
Skipper read from "Becoming Human" by Jean Vanier; it is an excellent book,
part of the CBC Massey Lectures.  Sean, Ian, and Steve have made a 9 hole,
Par 3 golf course on deck.  It is made up of funnels, hatches, the scuttle
hatch, and the sky lights.  They are now in the process of organizing a
´Pacific Grace Open Cup Tournament.´  The 3 of them played a first round,
using a turks head as the golf ball and throwing the ´ball´ rather than
swinging a club.  I will relay more details when I hear of them.   I have a
wonderfully funny story to relate about Keira; hopefully tomorrow I will get
the chance.  Her watch loves her and she keeps them laughing; she has many
very funny stories. If you have been with SALTS for a long time you may know
of Christina Clark, Martyn and Marg Clarks 3rd daughter.  Christina studied
in England and Keira´s mom was one of her professors.  Christina shared
SALTS with Keira´s mom and that is how Keira has traveled all the way from
England to Japan to join us on the Grace to Hawaii.  It´s a wonderful
connection.   This is it for tonight, until tomorrow, good-night,
Bonice.