Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

We were given a hint of how quickly the seas and weather can change.  We
woke to another hot day, exactly the kind we want.  Tarps were up, sunscreen
applied, shady spots found to read, write or sleep, etc.  Mid-afternoon the
clouds started moving in and within an hour or two the weather was quite
different.  Initially we felt just splatters of rain, but this was soon
followed by a dark grey cloud covering a large area with vertical lines of
rain hitting hard onto the sea and coming toward us.  We counted to 10 and
it was upon us.  Trainees not on watch scrambled below to stay dry while
those on watch had gone below earlier to gather their rain gear.  Tristan
and I donned swimsuits and tried to shower in the fresh water, a habit we
acquired in the tropics.  The half hour rain squall cooled the air
considerably and crew and trainees changed into warmer clothes.  Later in
the afternoon, fortunately, the sun returned and at the moment the sky is
clear with stars and a full moon; hopefully the good weather will continue
for a bit longer.  The wind has picked up slightly and we have raised the
foresail and the jumbo, 2 of the forward sails.  Having the sails up
steadies the rolling motion of the ship and helps increase the speed
somewhat.  Several of the fellows have started a competition to see who is
the ´toughest.´  The winner is the one who lasts the longest on the passage
keeping his shirt off, his chest bared; this includes during night watch.
The guys have set the rules themselves and so far only Adam, Chris E.,
Raven, and Keith are in the running.  Christina taught a juniors chart work
lesson.  The second meeting of the Writers Guild met this morning and
Christina led about 6 of us through some writing exercises.  Antony, Jacob,
Sean, Blake, Noah, and Tristan started making lures, creating a personalized
decorative interior piece that will be put into a clear canister and filled
with resin.  Leighsa has begun knitting a second project with wool she
purchased in Oahu.  Lisa M. is knitting a lace scarf, something she can
hopefully teach the rest of us.  Sara R. is working on the second sock,
hoping to complete it soon as she has another ball of wool for a third set
of socks; they are very colorful and beautiful; Elske received the first
pair at Christmas.  Steve allowed himself to be tied up by Simon, Jose, and
Blake, and then was left to free himself on his own.  He succeeded
eventually but Simon knows his junior knots and did a pretty good job!
Everyone ate together at 1700 hrs, spaghetti and salad, so that we could
hold a Sunday service on deck while it was still light.  The sun sets at
about 1930, the latest so far this offshore; it was beautiful tonight.  We
are discussing how God speaks to us and tonight´s focus was how he speaks to
us through Creation and our responsibility to the environment.  Thank you to
Stephen Duff who helped with finding the chords for a Bruce Cockburn song,
´Lord of the Starfields.´  Christina and Sarah B. practiced the song
together, wrote the words on a white board, and then taught the song to
everyone during the service.  It has been a good day.  Gillian is studying
the stars with Adrienne, Rona, and Emily, and although the moon is full and
this makes stargazing difficult, they were still able to pick out several
constellations; it is exciting to notice the night sky and slowly start to
orientate oneself to a few familiar star patterns.  Katie would like to wish
her mom and Tim a happy birthday.  "Happy Birthday mom, I love you!  Enjoy
the Rodeo. Love, your baby, Katie" and "Happy 31st Birthday Tim, from
 Katie."    This is it for now; we are all well and happy.  Until tomorrow,
good-night, Bonice.