A Full Moon on the Dogwatch!
15 July 2011
I can envisage the imagery from such a title may suggest baying at the moon, straitjackets and bedlam; and in many ways I can possibly even possibly understand much of the reality disconnect that can happen to solo sailors with the full moon on the tropical open ocean.
The scene is absolutely surreal. The full moon with the reflection of light off the water is so bright that it is possible to read a book in the cockpit at night without any additional light. The panoramic scene around the boat couldn't have been better produced by Warner Bros.
Tall pillars of Cumulus clouds with composite infinite whites and grays backlit by the deep blue night sky with shimmering low clouds scudding across the moon compose breathtaking canvases of the infinite shades of gray. The bright light of the moon and the various depths of the clouds painting varying shades bring animation and three-dimensional detail to the clouds, which can't but help you imagining shapes like you did as a child laying on the grass watching the clouds overhead. With little else to do on your watch, it is an entertaining pastime.
In the distance you can see sheets of the lightning with the passing squalls, but they are so far away there is no audible reply of thunder almost increasing the sense of isolation
The scene is so breathtaking that the night watch passes without effort and you can't help but have a wide smile on your face as you go down to your bunk at relief of watch.
With the detailed caricature of the face of the man in the moon, I can easily picture how primitive cultures came to worship such a majestic celestial body.