And finally, a written blog from the North Pacific – twelve days into Chapter 2. I hope it’s going well for you, wherever and whoever you are. It is for Happy Socks and I, so much that I would say I have finally got my sea legs – ankles, calves, knees and all. And that, dear reader, is a mighty reassuring thing – for the culture shock has dissipated and this is now my home, my normal, my world.
Happy to be rowing again
I lifted the sea anchor around midday and then pottered with all the important things like food and drink and bucket, tidying the cabin and getting ready to row. After a full day and two nights in the cabin and knowing that I have the same again ahead from tonight, it felt sweet to be outside, stretching my legs, enjoying the chilly breeze and sunshine on my skin.
The wrapped up rower
Rowing this afternoon was chilly and beautiful, peppered with soaring albatrosses patrolling the crests and tiny petrels dancing over the waves. We even had a fleeting visit from a pod of curious, if not a little shy, dolphins who looped the boat and curved under her hull but not showing too much of themselves or staying too long. I didn’t get a good enough look at them to ID but noticed they had creamy white stripes down their sides.
I rowed until half five and then cooked up some more hot food before the sun sank and painted the clouded horizon with shafts of orange and pink.
Now the sea anchor is out once more for we are expecting 25-30knots tonight, with gusts of 35. So a little bouncy round the edges but nothing drastic. Lee had forecast a gale so I was more than chuffed to read it had reconsidered and downgraded.
Until the other side of the blow,
Sarah and Happy Socks x
Ps Thanks to everyone for their kind comments and good wishes. It is a real boost to know that although I am alone in a wee boat out here, that I am hugged and supported from across the world.
PPS We are just a couple of degrees west of where Gulliver and I met ‘Rosie’ last year… We’ll get the fizz ready.
