Ferdie the flying fish

Squadrons of glistening flying fish are taking off all around the boat
today.As in slow motion one follows them escaping from this imaginary
threat,gliding some distance,touching and finning the water with the tip
of their bottom tail fin,and off on another stretch of elegant manouvres
in the air they go.They form the staple diet of many forms of life out
here.From the deep blue the golden dorado is king when it comes to
hunting flying fish.With eyes situated on the top of their heads,they
can pursue the flying fish in flight and sometimes even snatch them out
of the air.A long sleek body powered by a huge tail fin it is also a
most delicious dish to enjoy.The hunter becomes the hunted.9 out 10
times fish will take a blue lure,the colour of the flying fish and
ocean.The better camouflaged it is,the better it works.We have caught
tuna,dorado,wahoo,sailfish and marlin on oceans all around the
world.There are other factors to successful fishing like the phase of
the moon,the seastate etc,but that is altogether another matter.To have
a feeling,look back,and watch a big tuna take your lure,or to let a lure
out on a whim,and half way out,you are on,comes with time spent on the
ocean and a lot of grace.

I also want to tell you about the clouds and the mythical shapes they
form and how they in turn relate to Greek mythology.The Greeks had to
give substance to every element they knew,every feeling and the patos of
the human experience.A rich and colourful tapestry that depicts the
birth of western thought.But more about that later.

Suffice to say that we are well on our way to anchoring off
Jamestown,St.Helena on Friday,18/02.The wind and swell and current from
behind is pushing us merrily along and ahead of our required target per
day.For the last few days we have run the motors a little here and there
just to keep our boat's batteries charged,other than that it has been
plain sailing.We have also turned our clocks back one hour to balance
sunrise and sunset.

Our position @ 10:30 UTC 22*39'S/04*21'E.We are just under 700nm from
St.Helena,apparent wind 10-12 SSE,new top speed of 9.3kts.

Wishing you a slow and stressfree Sunday.

Paul