sailing at 6.6 kts with 15 kts apparent wind.I know some of the posts
are a bit technical,but sailing is like that sometimes,a bit
technical.Nautical terms are fascinating if you find out where the
different terms originate from.The word yacht for example is an old
Dutch word when the Dutch started using vessels for recreational
purposes,an unthinkable thing at the time in the 1700's.Then vessels
were used exclusively for trade and war.Words like galley for
kitchen,heads for your toilet,starboard for right and port for left are
just a few examples of some of these nautical terms.
There are also a lot of marine sayings i.e. never leave on a Friday,when
the dolphins come to play trouble is on the way,a red sunset at night is
a sailors delight.They all are based in history,sometimes still valid
today,some pretty obscure.The "horse latitudes" for example,an area
which we are sailing to at the moment is an area with very light and
variable winds,and without a motor you could be stuck there for
weeks.The ships of old also had horses on board who requires drinking
water and also add weight to the ship.As the water was running low,the
horses would be thrown overboard hence the name horse latitudes.
There is also for example no such thing as a rope on a boat.You might
shake your head in disbelief and say that there are all types of ropes
on a boat.How do you get the sails up,how do you tie things down and
what about all the knots one must know to sail a boat.They all have
different names and for good reason to.If,as captain I want the crew to
perform some manouvre,I can't use the word rope for every single
application.Therefore I would say that when we want to drop the mainsail
we first tighten the topping lift,a rope,check the lazy jacks,also
ropes,loosen the main halyard,a rope,and let the mainsail down.There are
sheets and lines,also ropes,all with a specific purpose.Imagine the
confusion if we only had one word,rope,for every purpose on a
boat.Mayhem would ensue.
Sure,if you sit in a yachtclub and listen to all these terms being
used,I won't blame you if it sounds like a foreign language.Perhaps you
are not interested enough in sailing to learn all these nautical
terms.But you may find it fascinating to learn where all the terms and
sayings come from.If not,that is also fine.If all you want to know is
how and what we experience out here,you won't be dissapointed.But I have
got news for you.Yes,it is beautiful out here,more than words can
say.Just yesterday we had a few rainbows,ending right behind our
boat.And yes,we can enter dreamscapes out here like nowhere else.No
mental pollution.But beauty is everywhere,right where you are there is
untold beauty.And what is beauty?Is it something that moves you,yes.Is
it something that inspires you,yes.Is it something that makes you laugh
or cry,yes.Is it something that shows that there is more to you than
meets the eye,yes,yes,yes.
I know the most precious beauty of all is inside of you,the beauty
within.It is there,always was and always will be.Look for it and you
will find it.And you will then also see it in the people around you,the
places,the trees,the birds,the rocks,even your shoes.They all have a
story to tell.And learn to love this beauty within,and you will learn to
love all the beauty outside.Learn to respect this beauty within,and you
will respect the beauty all around around you.Most of all,look for the
sacredness of the beauty within,and the sacredness of all around you
will reveal itself to you.You are far more than you can ever
imagine.Worth more than all the gold.Some artists could catch a glimpse
of it and were able to capture it on canvas,in words,in music.
Yes,I know.We are often so trapped by fear,by hatred,by prejudice,by
greed,by responsibilities.I believe a little beauty goes a long way.Find
a little inside and you will overcome your fears,your hatred,your
prejudice,your greed and will more than meet your responsibilities.You
will at last make it your responsibilty to love and to be loved.And only
to the extend that you can know and love yourself,can you know and love
all around you.We evolve,we go through uncertain
patches.Metamorphosis,can you imagine what it all entails?Is it the
butterfly that wants to keep the dream alive and lays it eggs.The eggs
becomes caterpillars,the caterpillars crawl around dreaming of being a
butterfly.Why do they?Because that what they were once upon a time.So
they spin a cocoon,and they have faith in their dream of becoming a
butterfly.And after a while,when the Great Alchemist is finished,out
crawls a butterfly,spread it's wings to dry in the sun,and the dream
lives on.
So ya well no fine,all these damn technicalities.Blah blah blah.Or as my
daughter have been taught by me,belah belah belah.
Our position at PM 01:00 UTC was 18*04'N/32*40'W.We have about 3440 nm
to go to Greece,but next and final stop,probably,will be Madeira.
Fantastic to have you aboard,even if it is just in spirit.
Standing by on 16
Paul
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