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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Albatross Territory

 

sagar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 1st of December was a good day for more reasons that one. For one, the end of first 30 days at sea in my little office was marked by the visit of a brown albatross. The other reason was Nat Geo Traveller India that came out with the second instalment of the story of the voyage so far. Neha Dara and Ashima Narain sailed with us from Goa to Mumbai on the final run up to Sagar Parikrama 2 and they have come up with a splendid article complete with some excellent experiences, writing and pictures. Book your copy now for tomorrow it will be collector’s item.

20121203 blogWinds died by the 29th of November and we were becalmed briefly marking an end to our southern transit. Soon after that the high pressure passed over us and I saw the signboard that read “TURN LEFT HERE FOR CAPE HORN’. Winds swung almost immediately. A gentle southward component in the course should see us hitting the roaring forties within a week, but weather predictions tell that the winds will be more than whispering much before that. in a couple of day’s time, the first cold front is going to hit me brining with it 30 knot winds, 6 metre waves and rains. I have advice from many quarters how to miss Australia  and Tasmania. I have taken their advice seriously and am trying to tread carefully between Australia and Antarctica trying not to slice across either and change world geography forever.

_DSC0019For the same reason 29th of November also saw the beginning of a four day weekend. It was a good time to catch up on sleep, post a blog and prepare for the roaring 40s. Out came winter clothes, boots, oilies, fleece jacket and sleeping bag from the bosun store,  December's food from the food store and in went summer clothes and linen after the laundry was done. The running rigging got a thorough lookover and the machinery was checked once again to see if it was ready to take the next beating. But readiness for the Southern Oceans cannot be predicted, at least that is what my understanding is. You can only tell once you are out of it whether you were ready when you went in.

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DSC_7317South of 32nd parallel, I saw an albatross. A brown one. It happened on the 01st of this month marking our official entry into albatross territory. She has been following us ever since. In my life as a pilot, that is the only bird I consider worthy of envy. And what joy it is to see one fly all day long without flapping its wings even once!

 

Check out this video to see how I usually do my laundry!

Thats how I do laundry at sea. This is about two weeks of laundry

Meanwhile, not very far from here, another sailing is happening- the voyage of the Sudarshini to ASEAN. Check out the latest blog from the skipper as they pass Cebu.

http://www.aseanindia.com/skippers-blog/2012/11/27/something-brewing-well-east-of-philippines-archipelago

UP NEXT- ROARING FORTIES

19 comments:

  1. Bravo Abhilash. I m regular reader of your blog. Keep it up.

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  2. Fantastic description - thanks!

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  3. Only one word that's thrilling !!!! Dreaming of Mhadei along with you !!

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  4. Happy Navy Day. You are in everyone's thoughts. Hi to your brown companion. Good luck.
    Capt MVS Negi

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    1. Thank you sir! Almost in the 40s and getting a pasting. Long has crossed the century mark

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  5. I know how you love clicking bird's flights.Albastross is a good photo shoot companion. Of course doubt how you will manage clicking snaps in the roller coster you are going through...

    Dont believe this is how one does laundry at sea. Wont the clothes get all salty.

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    1. I am still clicking away! I dont know about the others but this is how I do my laundry at sea

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  6. Sea water is full of miracles... and I have experienced it once! And talked about it a million times.

    In response to the above comment, I feel clothes are just to garb the person wearing them. They don't have an identity till someone fills them, how they look is completely on that person! Aren't the clothes lucky to have a ride through the waves than just our household machine!

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  7. Your most of the Jobs is done in an exceptional way.

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  8. Just stumbled upon this. I'm glad that you are able to do this, best of luck! I hope you have good selection of books...

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    1. Hey Alex! And you would remember it was only a few years back when I was puking my guts out with you. Glad to see you here

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  9. Geography is history. Slice away and make your own map, Christopher Tomy

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  10. I thought this was a solo voyage? But, in this and prior posts, you refer to "We" or is the British Raj Royal "We"? In any event, this is an adventure of a lifetime. Congrats to you, god speed, and fair winds. All the best !!!

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  11. awesome tomy sir... the 4-5 hour sorties i have flown with you were full of stories... hoping for a lot more from this expedition... ;)

    this blog's an awesome read... and i'm spreading the word too... shau nau varuna...

    ~Karan Tiwari....

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    1. Damn! Man.... you are the second person to remind me of flying today... feeling very nostalgic

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  12. This is really neat! Wonder how a civilian can do this!
    Though, I think not all adventures are taken up on the sea. Wish you all the best!

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