Qingdao Clipper looking back to Jamaica Lightning Bolt Tuesday 9th March 2010Position: 031degs 23' 20N 139degs 11' 40EBoat time: 12 noonThe other night we had the most fantastic display of dolphins so far. Although it was pitch black and we couldn't see the dolphins themselves, the phosphorescence was out and everywhere they moved they left a bright, sparkling trail behind them like torpedo tracks through the water. There were two of them, as far as we could tell, twisting and turning and jumping and diving under the boat and playing in the bow waves. The most playful pair we've had so far. I was sitting with my feet over the rail to get a better view and they both exploded from under the boat right under my feet! They stayed with us for about 20 minutes and it was fabulous to feel the same freedom they must have. One of the greatest privileges of living at sea.
We had a tough watch that night with lots of evolutions and sail changes to be done. From the wind seeker to the Yankee 2, 2nd reef, Yankee 3, and, with Elaine on mother watch when we put the reef in, it was my job to prep the snake pit and make sure all the lines ran smoothly. With only one error when the main halyard jammer jammed when it wasn't supposed to, I finally feel like I'm getting to grips with the boat and am pulling my weight - it's only taken 3 races! Its funny how the smallest things can make you feel good. When we were tidying the snake pit after the reef and I was putting the stay sail halyard back onto its winch, I amazed myself by being able to open the jammer all by myself! Something that only a few weeks ago, in those conditions, would have been impossible for me.
As we head east towards America (whoop, whoop!), we are passing over one of the deepest ocean trenches in the world. With depths of up to 10,000 metres, we will be sailing over water deeper than Mount Everest is high. The cause of this trench is to do with the tectonic plates and the fact that it is a converging plate boundary. The oceanic plate is being pushed towards the continental plate and vice versa by convection currents under the earth's crust. The oceanic plate is more dense so it is forced underneath the continental plate and, where it is 'sub ducted', the trench forms. The friction between the two plates causes the continental plate to buckle so big fold mountains are formed on that side of the trench and volcanoes, too. Japan is part of the volcanic mountain range that forms this trench and it is all part of the 'Ring of Fire' which surrounds the Pacific Ocean - (Lily's Daddy says...'Dear Bloggers, in case you didn't know it, Lily's into rocks! Here endeth today's Geology lesson!)
Its been a busy few days with the wind doing dances all around us and Skip has kept us on our toes with endless evolutions. The record number of evolutions per watch has climbed to 14. But I think we might have been counting re-running the preventer and putting on the back stay as separate ones so the figures may not be accurate! Despite the rain, the 35-40knots of wind on the nose for the last 72 hours, the weather is much milder than it has been and port watch is definitely in high spirits. Even though this is my last race on-board JLB and I don't want the experience to end, I'm excited to be pointing East at last and getting well on the way to San Francisco! xxx
We had a tough watch that night with lots of evolutions and sail changes to be done. From the wind seeker to the Yankee 2, 2nd reef, Yankee 3, and, with Elaine on mother watch when we put the reef in, it was my job to prep the snake pit and make sure all the lines ran smoothly. With only one error when the main halyard jammer jammed when it wasn't supposed to, I finally feel like I'm getting to grips with the boat and am pulling my weight - it's only taken 3 races! Its funny how the smallest things can make you feel good. When we were tidying the snake pit after the reef and I was putting the stay sail halyard back onto its winch, I amazed myself by being able to open the jammer all by myself! Something that only a few weeks ago, in those conditions, would have been impossible for me.
As we head east towards America (whoop, whoop!), we are passing over one of the deepest ocean trenches in the world. With depths of up to 10,000 metres, we will be sailing over water deeper than Mount Everest is high. The cause of this trench is to do with the tectonic plates and the fact that it is a converging plate boundary. The oceanic plate is being pushed towards the continental plate and vice versa by convection currents under the earth's crust. The oceanic plate is more dense so it is forced underneath the continental plate and, where it is 'sub ducted', the trench forms. The friction between the two plates causes the continental plate to buckle so big fold mountains are formed on that side of the trench and volcanoes, too. Japan is part of the volcanic mountain range that forms this trench and it is all part of the 'Ring of Fire' which surrounds the Pacific Ocean - (Lily's Daddy says...'Dear Bloggers, in case you didn't know it, Lily's into rocks! Here endeth today's Geology lesson!)
Its been a busy few days with the wind doing dances all around us and Skip has kept us on our toes with endless evolutions. The record number of evolutions per watch has climbed to 14. But I think we might have been counting re-running the preventer and putting on the back stay as separate ones so the figures may not be accurate! Despite the rain, the 35-40knots of wind on the nose for the last 72 hours, the weather is much milder than it has been and port watch is definitely in high spirits. Even though this is my last race on-board JLB and I don't want the experience to end, I'm excited to be pointing East at last and getting well on the way to San Francisco! xxx
Great stuff Lilly. I experienced a poipoise running off a few yards to the side our boat out in the Thames estuary once. That pales into insignificance compared to your experience with the Dolphins but I can understand your feelings in seeing them.
ReplyDeleteStill look forward to reading the blogs and now the guys at work are starting to show an interest too! After I told them of your exploits they keep asking for updates each day. It's also a conversation topic in the sailing club on tuesday evenings so we're all eagerly waiting your updates.
Safe passage and keep up the hard work, you are doing just fine and Dad is mighty proud of you.
I love coming in to the office in a morning and logging on to see if there is any "Lily News". Dolphins must have been amazing - I had a similar incident with porpoises whilst sailing in the Hebrides - very special. Glad to hear you are finally getting to grips with the boat - "about time too" springs to mind! Have fun, sail hard and stay safe - Kath
ReplyDeleteGosh you not only learn about sailing reading these blogs but you get the odd geology lesson thrown in as well, brilliant. LOL. We are loving the blogs, thinking of you. All our love Aunty Sue and Granddad. xxx
ReplyDelete