Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

Day 2 of the passage and we continue to motor under a very hot sun.
Along with the tarp set up yesterday amidships, we put up a smaller tarp
over the helmsperson and afterdeck area; it makes a big difference.  We
thought at one time this morning that the air temperature was slightly
cooler, but we were mistaken, the day continued hot.  I overheard several
trainees discussing how they were trying to attain a deep and dark enough
tan, so that after the possibly 4 weeks of cold weather at the Canadian end
of this leg, they still have something to show friends and family of the
´tropical´ side of this leg.  Everyone is definitely changing color; some
pink, some red, some brown, some both.  Sunscreen is still being applied
liberally as the sun is intense and it takes sometimes only 10-20 minutes to
feel that one has had too much sun.  We are enjoying the chance to spend our
days and nights on deck; this is one aspect of offshore that is so memorable
for crew and trainees.  It is a unique experience to sit on deck all day and
into the evening, and then to stand watch at night, sailing (or motoring)
under a starry sky and a perfect temperature, with just a t-shirt or light
sweater on.  Below decks it is very warm.  The crew head and the little boys´
cabin are quite hot as it backs onto the engine room.  In the crew head we
are now enjoying running hot water out of the tap!  The Anderson boys sleep
as close to naked as they can with a fan whirring over them and they still
sweat.   This evening, 10 red-footed boobies have chosen to alight and rest
on the yard arm, the end of the main boom, and the bowsprit.  The yardarm is
the horizontal spar high on the forward mast from which the square sails
hang.  The bowsprit is the spar that sticks out of the front of the ship,
and the main boom is the largest horizontal spar that hangs off the mainmast
and has the foot of the mainsail attached to it.  It hangs out over the back
of the ship.  There are 2 boobies just behind the tarp that covers the
helmsperson; they are beautiful with their bright red legs and feet, blue
beaks and blue by the eye, and black stripe along their lower wings.  They
have been soaring around us for the past 2 days; we enjoy watching them,
especially after our visit in Midway.  Chris P. and Sean had haircuts today;
Jose lent them his shaver and they both received ´tropical´ cuts (short, not
bald), much easier out at sea; they look good.  This afternoon we had a
´swim stop.´  We turn off the engine and drift slowly to a halt and then
watches take turns jumping off the ship and enjoying the deep blue sea for
15 minutes each.  It is an incredible and unforgettable experience.  There
is no land anywhere, the sky is blue, and the color of the ocean is intense;
a deep, radiant royal blue that seems concentrated yet luminous . . .
spectacular.   In the water at eye level with the horizon, we watch as the
Grace rolls from side-to-side and shows us what is below her water line.
From in the water the swells look like moving mountains and we rise up and
down with them . . . it´s stunning.  This evening trainees spent as much
time on deck talking and laughing as they could before the watch officer
sent them below decks; it´s a fabulous evening and the moon is nearly full
so there´s light to see by.  We hope to enjoy a few more of these nights
before the weather cools down too much.  I thought I would introduce the
crew and family aboard so you have a better idea of whom I´m talking about
in the log.  Skipper is Tony Anderson, mates and watch officers are Jose and
Antony, 3rd watch officer is Sarah B., cooks are Gillian and Katie, and
bosun is Jordan C.  These are the professional crew on board.  Volunteers
for this trip are Tristan who is bosun´s mate and former trainee on legs 2,
3, and 4, and Christina who is watch leader, helping with the teaching and
leading of the 3 watches.  The family besides Skipper, consists of myself,
Elske and Bec, who are part of a watch, and Arwen, Jacob, Noah, and Simon
who are being home schooled.  This and 21 more trainees make us a family of
37.  It is late and Jacob is not feeling well, heat stroke we think.  Until
tomorrow, good-night, Bonice.