11 June 2011

Wow, the Pacific is ALIVE!! We have not had an hour go by today without one of us shouting to come and see the wildlife. Just as the kids were getting complacent about dolphins, we had a show of somersaults, flips and splashes from the biggest dolphins we have seen to date, a truly magnificent sight. Then a bunch of pilots whales again came past the boat, followed by a three hour show of Spanish mackerel (I think) leaping out of the water comedy style. The flock of pretty birds (yet to be identified!) dwindled until there was just one solitary bird following our boat, but all in all a busy Attenborough type of day. As I tried to send the last e mail, I couldn't get the blasted SSB to work. What with that and the satellite phone not working, I thought I was going to be in big trouble with the mother in law, so I pulled out all the stops to fix the SSB and noticed a cable I had not reconnected after our lightening incident the day before. Pheeeew. School girl error. Talking of which, back to school tomorrow. We've had about a three week half term (oops!) so tomorrow we are gently re-introducing some of the more structured stuff (maths, literacy etc.) Whilst I'd like to think that the whole experience of the trip is education itself and today was a practical experience, it nevertheless won't do to have the kids get to their next school and know the mating signals of a cormorant but not know their 4 times table! I'll prepare for the worst and hope for the best. This is a sailing quote but goes well with the whole teaching Lochy thang. Wish me luck.