Saturday 24 October 2015

Currently in the South China Sea west of Kalimantan (Borneo) and expect to cross the equator early tomorrow morning after which flushed toilets will again swirl anti-clockwise as is right and proper. Haze and smoke carried on southeast wind from wildfires reduces visibility, makes everything grey except the sun and moon which, when infrequently visible, appear orange and nullifies benefits of having given up cigarettes 38 years ago. With little rain (Belitung has been arid for 5 months) this may be the case until the southeast monsoon abates in November. Since we are proceeding northwest in light wind and didn't get away until afternoon yesterday and it is desirable to finish the 260 NM passage to Pulau Mesanak before dark tomorrow and we need to make electricity and water and anyway we love the rumble of exploding diesel with attendant fog of inescapable exhaust fumes, the Yanmar has been deployed since midnight. GRIB (Garbled Recounting of Inaccurate Bullflop) indicates that spinnaker may offer only chance to outpace a sea cucumber without the aid of fossilized dinosaurs. This prospect has been entirely theoretical so far today.

All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody Sun at noon, Right up above the mast did stand, No bigger than the Moon. - Samuel Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

Jack