News Archive
11 March 2006
Having a whale of a time
As I write, I am about to pass the Juan Fernandez archipelago. It was here in 1705 that Alexander Selkirk, a seaman aboard a privateer had a thunderous row with the ship's master. Selkirk asked to be put ashore. Four years later, he was picked up by Woodes Rogers. In London, Selkirk's story was written up where it was seen by Daniel Defoe who used it as the model for his novel, Robinson Crusoe. I am sorely tempted to anchor up and have a look...
Two nights ago, we had a visitor - a whale came alongside then dived under the boat and was nudging the keel, causing the boat to heel over. I don't believe it was aggressive behaviour and nice to think Barrabas had a new friend. I was more concerned that the whale might damage the self-steering rudder.
Today I got my reward after six weeks of grey, cold weather - probably the best sailing day I have had so far! The Pacific Ocean is very different in character from the Atlantic - a longer smoother swell, more expansive somehow and fresher. We had a warm 12 knot breeze coming over the port quarter, blue skies studded with high cloud, sparkling indigo water. Barrabas was reaching at 6 knots, but hardly heeling. I took the opportunity of drying out some damp clothing and taking the galley sink drainage system apart to clean. It was choked with black, foul smelling grunge. I also took time on deck, shoeless, wearing shorts and a T-shirt. This was a day to savour - the serenity, the space, the sing-song of the sea.