Hi all,

"The days go by, never monotonous. Even when they appear exactly alike, they are never quite the same. That is what gives life at sea its special dimension, made up of contemplation and very simple contrasts.
Sea, Winds, Calms, Sun, Clouds, Peace and the Joy of being alive in Harmony." That was the message Aurore wrote down during her night watch, quoting the famous solo-sailor, her compatriot Bernard Moitessier.

How different is our world on this cruel sea. Three weeks out now, 2600 nautical miles - 1000 to go.
While Brian and Aurore are rehearsing the Abba opera on the trampoline Dick changes the oil in the generator. And the next day, when Aurore trims Brians moustache and beard on the foredeck, Dick checks the impeller of the generator. It was in smithereens, why? Never monotonous.
Aurore cooks lunches and dinners, French haute cuisine. Brian bakes a variety of breads and baguettes, or the bottom of another pizza or quiche. Dick cooks water for his coffee.

On June 22, when the GPS shows 00°00.000 N, 037°00.183 W the kids are frolicking on the foredeck when suddenly King Neptune climbs aboard. Both kids are 'pollywogs' - Brians short dip across the equator near Singapore does not count, says Neptune - so both need to be baptised after a short ceremony. The seawater temp was 30.8 C, not too bad. But the new able seamen had serious doubts on the identity of Neptunus Rex, with a beard like a mop, a crown like a spaghetti strainer and a trident looking like a boathook with kitchen utensils. The final insult was when they had to kiss his ring, which looked like a hose clamp. It appeared that he actually never was baptised himself. So guess what happened...

The other day, with Vivaldi's Four Seasons' Spring max loud from the deck-speakers, Aurore was dancing like a goose on the trampoline. Then over thirty dolphins arrived - attracted by the music? They stayed like forever. So Aurore was lowered over the bow, into the sea, in climbing gear attached to the now-redundant spinnaker halyard. She was dragged along, with a smile from ear to ear and her contagious laughs of course. She shot great underwater footage of the dolphins with the GoPro. Never monotonous.

We sail on, struggling with no wind, nasty countercurrents and beam seas, in the wake of Grainne Mhaol and Valentina and just ahead of Mirniy Okean. 1000 miles to go.
Wish you were here.

On behalf of the ad hoc UMNYAMA crew
Dick

28-06-2020
02°36 N, 046°40 W