Tuesday 2 June 2015

Perspicacious readers may have been bewildered and distraught by variance in spelling of a certain chocolate supplemented confection that has a particularly felicitous effect on crew taste buds. Initially had presented it as 'pain au chocolat', then encountered a spelling with 'du'. Have now recently seen, in authoritative setting, 'au' and, as associated pronunciation has a more lilting flow, will henceforth exclusively use original manifestation. If this last was of the slightest interest to you, you should probably keep it to yourself.

As expected the operation yesterday did not hurry for diving or snorkeling, but rather dawdled en route to Ile Casy, sailing off anchor and across the 6 NM in just the slightest zephyr. Upon arrival boat was met by island hound who swam out to help us moor then led the way as crew walked a circumnavigation on well maintained trails. The pup, who had a particular fascination for sea cucumbers, which he picked off the bottom, brought to shore and gnawed on for awhile, was apparently the only inhabitant, but must get fed regularly as he appears healthy and didn't eat much of the tough echinoderms. Perhaps he saves them for later.

Wind, oddly enough exactly as forecast by GRIB (Good Reason to Imbibe Booze), backed to the NE and then right 'round to NW and W as we flew, in perfect conditions for it, the spinnaker nearly entire 40 or so miles (with deviations for reef) into Ile des Pins (eel day peen). A beautiful day of sailing at up to 7.2 knots in breeze so light the KISS didn't turn a blade. Really love this stuff.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. (You have wind in your sails And nothing to lose) You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...." - Dr. Seuss

Jack