Monday, January 30, 2012

Trying to catch the wind

It's been 21 days since we casted off in Cape Town. 2 days in St.Helena
and 19 days at sea. Mixed fortunes as far as the wind goes but no
complaints, we know what we lose now we will catch up later, such is
sailing, things always change. Our little plant we brought along on the
trip is an indigenous type of aloe plant, hottentots vy as it is known
by some. Seeing as Nick's sign says he has a natural way with plants he
was appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Enviromental Affairs. The
plant was busy withering away,but since Nick started taking care of the
plant there is a marked improvement in the plant. The reason we brought
the plant along, oh yes, it has a name now, Herbie thanks to the
minister, is that it has amazing healing qualities, Any cuts, little
spots on the skin etc heals much faster with a bit of this plant juice
than any pharmaceutical product can. It leaves no scars, take the pain
away immediatly and disinfects as well. Since the 1400's woman were
burnt at stakes for having this kind of natural knowledge. Since then so
much natural knowledge was lost in favour of pharmaceutical products.
But it is making a comeback, and knowledge is being freely shared across
the globe. But this is a subject all on it's own, vast fascinating.
People believed plants had spirits, then was taught differently and now
again starting to realize that there is spirit in everything.

The word spirit is such an interesting word and can be used in all
manners of speech. Once again you van probably come up with 12 different
ways of expressing something using the word spirit. The spirit of the
place, in the spirit of reconciliation, free spirited, a spirited
performance and you can add as you wish to the list. And then us, we are
also spirit. We know what is body, we have an idea what mind is, how
would you describe spirit? Is it that part which cannot be contained,
which lives on forever, that is outside our bodies. Perhaps all of these
and perhaps not. In a natural sense I would compare spirit to the wind.
You can see the effect of wind on trees, in the clouds,just about
everywhere, but you cannot see the wind. It is air moving caused by
various factors. I don't reaaly know how else to describe spirit.
The moment you try and put a word to it it slips away, takes on another
meaning, like trying to catch the wind. Wind comes in many shapes and
sizes, from the gentlest of breezes to full blown hurricanes. It can be
utterly refreshing and it can be utterly devastating. And as air is in
everything so is spirit. Air is in the water, in the soil,in fire, just
about everywhere. It is a basic requirement of life. A fact that cannot
be denied, disputed or wished away. We are spirit and I believe that we
will become more and more aware of what it is all about.

Tonight is Eduan's turn to prepare supper. I suggested rotis and it was
accepted immediatly.It will require a team effort and Nick volunteered
to assist Eduan. Steven will show them how to make the rotis and they
will take it from ther and also do the other goodies that will go into
the roti. Our position currently is 09*15'S/017*47'W. We have two lures
out, flying fish taking off every now and then but I think we are going
a bit slow to entice a strike. Nice sunny weather, scattered clouds
around and we are now three hours behind SA time or UTC + 1.

Over and out

Captain Paul

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