A very laissez faire day at sea for us as we close on Cape Verde. Last night at 11.27 we crossed the equator and we are now in the Northern Hemisphere, where we live. Who knows when we may cross it south-bound again?
There is a stretch of the oceans, five degrees north and five degrees south of the equator known as the Doldrums. There is very little wind there as the Trade Winds blow east to west above the doldrums [west to east in higher latitudes] but in between there is, as I said, little rain but lots of rain. These latitudes are also known as the Horse Latitudes because, believe it or not, in days of yore, some ships got caught in the doldrums for prolonged periods of time. In order to improve the crew's chances of survival they would sometimes throw live-stock, including horses overboard to save water. The width of the Doldrums is roughly 700 miles, so to be without wind was a very serious matter. Ships sometimes had their crew try and 'row' out of the doldrums with the crew tied to the ship in small boats. Another believe it or not fact.
Today, the morning and early afternoon was lovely, weather-wise. In the afternoon I went out on the balcony and it was raining. It occurred to me that we on this ship have had the most wonderful weather, sunny with maybe five days when it might have rained for a moment or two. It occurred to me that we would be getting some rain at home, where we will be in a little over two weeks, GASP! What a thought, rain, possibly for days on end. So Doug, be careful of what you wish for, you can't have a great garden without lots of R-A-I-N!
We had a little tour called All Things Nautical below decks today. Short, but interesting. This floating palace is still a ship and needs to have sailors that know how to do what sailors do, splice ropes, plot courses, know how to use all sorts of gear and equipment that we, as passengers hope to never see.
Among the most interesting thing that I saw today was what they call, Life Boat Rations. They were passed around along with all the other canapés and champagne. At first I thought that is was shortbread, but Fellette told me what it was. I ate one and it was quite pleasant, rather dry, like shortbread, but no doubt chock-full of nutrients. One piece, about 1 1/2" x 1" x 1/2" was considered a meal. One every four hours. The package cautioned, 'Do Not Overeat', rather good advice even if you are not in a lifeboat!
Other than that all we did today was our usual long morning routine on the balcony, attend a couple of lectures and the tour. I also watched a movie while Fellette relaxed on the deck with a book and Free Cell.
Another full day at sea tomorrow, Sunday, and then we have three days in the Cape Verde Islands.
Pics.
- We were met with champagne.
- And also canapés.
- Lifeboat cookies!
- Survival manual.
- Rubber life-raft.
- Rope ladder.
- Sextant I believe is the name.
- Charts.
- Ropes.
- Ropes.
- Officer's Mess, the sign says, 'I love Azipods' [Azipods are the propellor housing modules.]
- Decor is the Mess.
- Fellette playing 'soccer' in the Mess.
- More decor.
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