Monday 26 October 2015

As we near Singapore Strait there is nearly constant talk on 16, the calling and emergency channel. Visibility is perhaps a mile and the sea is an oily slick with virtually no wind and none forecast. No way to discern clouds, but suspect few as enveloping smoke is quite bright. Resultant air pollution, virtually an annual event, causes sneezing and coughing, probably increasing local occurrence of COPD and emphysema. Polarized sunnies cut through some of the glare, but a constant lookout is necessary to avoid small fishing boats which bob about in significant numbers and dart willy nilly. Evading collision tomorrow while crossing the Strait's shipping lanes should be quite stimulating given the volume of traffic (this is perhaps the busiest port on earth), but fortunately the big ships have AIS transmitters giving position, course and speed to help thwart a dramatic if rather expeditious death.

Well, that last was pretty somber and depressing. By the way, have you ever seen a squirrel caught on a highway in traffic? More fun for you than the squirrel. Not to worry, the heat is too enervating for any rapid movement.

On a more upbeat note, at dusk we had a lovely cockpit dinner with chilled red wine as a peculiar fish netting operation took place just off the port beam, then watched Game of Thrones, episode 3, season 5 as the plot thickened. A full night's sleep was a breeze (possibly a poor choice of metaphor) as we now consider comfortable an overnight low of 29 C (84 F).

Although rabbit must be distressed by the heat (white - likely a snowshoe hare) he displays unflinching stoicism and remains punctilious in guarding the aft bunk. There seems, however, to be a slight ear droop and lassitude that, while not completely atypical, may bespeak significant trauma. As he is normally somewhat phlegmatic, this is as yet supposition. Careful observation will ensue as there is suspicion in some quarters that the little blighter may be engaging in chicanery to gain undeserved sympathy.

Jack