Aye Aye landlubbers, I am in Singapore tonight and have a gig at the Masala Comedy Club Riverside Walk. Looking forward to flexing my comedy muscle again. It will be about the 8th gig I have done in Singapore and I have always been well received so it should be a good crack.
Love and Peace
Bentley
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Land Ahoy!!
Aye Aye landlubbers, “Well shiver me timbers, Yo Ho Ho barrels of rum on dead mens chest, black spots from Blind Pugh, rumblings in the Foc’sle and other assorted salty old sea dog malarkey.
We have made fast on the lay by berth at Sector 51 Keppel shipyard Singapore. We arrived at about 1700 last night. We are in among some seriously large tonnage in varying states of repair and I should imagine that for a photographer this place would be a treasure trove of opportunity.
I will get some snaps to give you an idea over the next few days.
As is customary there was a mass exodus ashore last night and several of the senior guys ended up in JJs watching the band Heritige until the small hours.
Headaches abound this morning however the fist cold beer (see earlier post) was most enjoyable after an dry period stretching to 115 days for myself.
Luckily the dry dock lay-by berth is miles from any civilisation ( read restaurants and bars) being in the middle of an industrial zone so it is a major effort to get ashore. This is a good thing as it keeps temptation at arms length and will ensure I arrive home in prime condition so Mrs B can benefit from my 4 months of healthy living.
Love and Peace
Bentley
Date & Time 14 -01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8 )
Position:- 1* 12.6 N 103* 34’.6 E
Speed:- 0 (in Dynamic Positioning mode holding station)
Wind:- N by W 10 Knots (Force 5 Gentle Breeze)
Sea State:- Calm
Weather:- Overcast.
Temp 77F
Distance to go:- 6 nautical miles
Jurong holding anchorage
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/71265.shtml
In the South Western part of Singapore you will see Jarong Island and we are close to the light marked on the chart. On the chart if you zoom in to the north of Jurong Island you will see a depth mark of 10 (meters), we will be tying up on the 1 side of that.
We maybe getting a berth later today but nothing is confirmed.
It has been gratifying to know that few people have followed the passage and my various ramblings and reminiscences about some of my life at sea. To be honest I have barely scratched the surface, however what it has done is given me several ideas for some fictional short stories drawing on my experiences and weaving them into the tale.
I will keep my blog site running as a journal and update regularly as I go along with various musings and rantings.
I will make one more post this thread once we have made fast and the voyage is complete.
The music today is two tracks from this genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjYTgwDizbk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpprOGsLWUo&feature=related
Cheers
Bentley
Position:- 1* 18.7’ N 104* 48’.4 E
Course:- 295*
Speed:- 3.4 Knots
Wind:- WNW 19 Knots (Force 5 Strong Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (up 8 feet waves with underlying swell, white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Occasional monsoon squalls.
Distance to go:- 79 nautical miles
Crossing the Line
Date & Time 12-01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8 )
Position:- 0* 27.4’ N 106* 00’.1 E
Course:- 310*
Speed:- 4.4 Knots
Wind:- NNW 19 Knots (Force 5 Strong Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (up 8 feet waves with underlying swell, white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Occasional monsoon squalls.
Temp 79F
Distance to go:- 162 nautical miles
South China Sea
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/71033.shtml
We are up near the top left hand corner of the chart, of for those of you with a more nautical bent we are in the upper North West quadrant.
The wind has stayed the same force although backed to North a little.
The sea conditions are still moderate to rough although we are now experiencing an underlying North Easterly swell which is causing us to roll a little. Only about two or three degrees each way but combined with the slamming of the waves it is enough to let you know you are at sea.
We are not quite up to the “I’ve never known a night like it” stage and it is a level of movement in a vessel that I like.
We had a one massive bump at about 1350 yesterday which was the time we crossed over the equator. It is normally associated with a bump.
So I am now back in the northern hemisphere and a few more miles closer to home.
In days gone by we would have had a “Crossing the Line” ceremony which involves initiating people who have never crossed the equator with some maniacal and horrible rite of passage.
One crew member would become King Neptune and if there were no wives on board another would become Amphitrite
Davy Jones would be in attendance and my other made up dignitaries. Basically it was an excuse to get in fancy dress, have a laugh at the expense of new crossers, and go on the lash with a big feast as well.
The ones who had never crossed the equator would be subject to the law of the court of Neptune which normally involved having old stinking food waste (several days old) big tipped over the hapless victims whilst being charged with various made up crimes such as looking a but odd or wearing unusual socks.
It often involved the shearing of a chunk of hair as well which often started at the back and went over the top resulting in there being no other option but to have to shave it all off.
After the ritual humiliation of the new crosses there would be a big feast and p!ss up. With so may vessels being now dry, the various more stringent health and safety laws, bare minimum skeleton crews and more importantly very few new people going to sea, the more excessive ceremonies have died out and I haven’t seen one for 25 years or more.
They do them on passenger boats but as you can imagine it is a tamed down p!ss poor imitation of what used to go on.
One of the craziest ones I remember was on a ship called the La Ensenada on passage from France to Durban via several West African ports.
It was fairly wild bunch of us on there and we had several new crossers on board.
One was the galley boy who was always up for a laugh but had a bit of an obsession with his rather bouffant hair do.
During the ceremony a 4 inch wide strip was shaved from his neck to the top of his head and so he was left with no option but to shave it all off. There were 6 of them who had varying chunks of hair out so they all shaved their heads and the galley boy didn’t mind too much, although he said his girlfriend in the UK loved his hair and would finish with him if he had it too short.
There was also the fact that some men can shave their heads and it looks fine, however some shave their heads and just don’t have the head shape for it and therefore look a bit freakish. He was one of those.
We were expecting to be out for another 5 months so he was happy he would have a good head of hair again by the time we got back to the UK.
The day after the shave he stayed outside in the sun to long and burnt his head, but what made it worse was that the fluid his head swelled up like an alien.
Sympathy is not a known feeling on a ship and he had the mick ripped ruthlessly from him, even more so because the swelling started to subside so the fluid seemed to sink further lower down his head almost as though he had a rubber ring under the skin getting a little bit lower each day.
A day or two later he had this band of fluid about about an inch thick at ear level around his head, and a glowing red pate that had started to peel really badly. It would be fair to say he was not looking at his best when we docked at Walvis Bay (Namibia) to load 30,00 ton of salt.
In fact he looked more like something out of a circus freak show, but he remained in good spirits and joined the many of us who were off up the road for a few beers (although there was very little in Walvis Bay at that time.)
Unfortunately for the lad he was larking about and not paying attention when going down the gangway and he slipped and broke his ankle.
He was whisked off by ambulance and was put in cast at the local hospital but he couldn’t continue to the voyage and had to be flown home.
I have never seen someone so utterly distraught about having to go home before.
Six weeks earlier he had joined the vessel for his first trip clean, and fresh and with an extravagant head of hair and he was going home looking like something out of a zombie film.
Looking on the bright side he did have a Crossing the line Certificate,
I wonder if he had it framed?
Cheers
Bentley
Cheers
Bentley
The music today is from a band called Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs.
They are long time mates of mine based in Maidstone and although the sound quality doesn’t do them justice I hope you get an idea of the sheer theater of their performances and the total irreverence they adopt when choosing what songs to cover.
The first time I met the lad singer and guitarist was when they were in a band called the Spice Daves who later went on to become Ghengis Khant, before hitting on the idea of Hobo Jones.
They are regulars at Glastonbury for the last four years and firm festival favourites as well as touring constantly all over the UK.
They play and intriguing fusion of punk and skiffle and no song is too big or too sacred for them to have ago at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anylAQ31iAk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E3GB_QGKfA&feature=related
_________________
Women are Fantastic
Why Women are Fantastic
Bearing in mind I am fully aware that if a man says something, when a woman isn’t listening, he is still wrong, and that there may well be some credence to the idea that we are from different planets, I still enjoy being in the presence of women.
Do you know that split second feeling you get when you are leaning back on a chair and you very nearly tip over but just manage to catch yourself in time? That’s what it feels like in the company of women for me.
You can never tell how it is going to go.
There is no mystery that in early religions the female was revered, but this was before men got their act together, when the christians and muslims took over by inventing a man god, and subjugated women to a lesser role, undeservedly subservient to men.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that the world has been at war ever since.
The adherents and enforcers of those religions have made great a effort over the centuries to ensure that it remains that way and although some remain firmly rooted in the stone ages a few of the cult offshoots of christianity have loosened up a bit as far as women are concerned.
All of that said, there is something quite magnificent about women and they have an ethereal quality that men can never attain because women are the ones that give life. It could be what men are scared of.
As much as I admire and respect women I wouldn’t want to be one because in the cycle of human life they get the sh!tty end of the stick.
For men it’s simple, we are born pretty much intact.
When we reach the age of 12 or 13 our goolies drop, followed quickly by our voices, then one day the blue veined custard chucker starts spitting when we rub it, and that’s us sorted for the next 60 or 70 years. Job done.
Women have to go though a far more complex metamorphosis which starts when young, because there comes a time when, although you have been running about naked in the garden since you could walk, one day your mum or dad says you have best pop on a pair of knickers.
It is small change of attitude towards you and it probably goes by without much notice. But big changes are coming.
One day, a few years later when you are in the bath you notice something wrong with your chest as it appears to be separating and expanding into two distinct mounds. Your body is changing shape and morphing in front of your very eyes
“Muuuuuuummmm!!! Whats happening to me?”
“It is just part of turning into a woman darling”
Then a little while later you cant work out why you suddenly want to burn down the house and machine gun your family and friends, this is shortly followed by acute stomach cramps, followed hot on the heels by menstrual bleeding.
“Muuuummmmm, whats happening to me?
“Its your period darling, The excruciating pain, violent and unpredictable mood swings and the mess, well that’s you once a month for the next 40 years or more. Welcome to the club”
Without your knowledge or permission you are now starting to emit a secret pheromone scent that acts as a magnet to the male species of human who’s knackers have just dropped, and you have to spend a few years fighting of the advances of young men with pants afire with desire.
Eventually one of them, after much fumbling about under the duvet of uncertainty, will succeed in convincing you that it would be a great idea if you let him slip you a length, which it has to be said is never quite the “Mills and Boon” moment that you dreamt it might be.
I think it fair to say that loosing your virginity is rarely a satisfying sexual experience. It is more like a seamless wrapper on a box of your favourite chocolates that takes forever to get off, but until you can get rid of it, the goodies that lie within can’t be accessed.
Sex often leads to pregnancy which is where a whole new level of the might of being a woman comes into its own.
Budding breasts and the hormonal hurricane set off by the monthly menstrual cycle pale into insignificance compared with the changes that occur when you have an alien growing inside of you, demanding resources that were normally all yours.
Slowly but surely the growing, wriggling, kicking, body inside of you begins to pull on your skin and regardless of the amount of balm and ointments you apply you are convinced you can actually hear it stretching.
With the early morning nausea, odd swellings, sudden change in taste and smells, and the new ungainly way of walking you have had to adopt, you feel anything but feminine and womanly, however there comes a time at between 6 to 8 months when you suddenly say “ I am so so sexy, I am all woman, I am mighty sexy earth mother” as the new curves and shapes define you as the giver of live. Never before have you felt so whole as a woman. Its why you were revered as goddesses.
Hubby or boyfriend (if any good) will have been as supportive as possible during the whole thing and learnt to say the right things about how magnificent you look, and of course he still loves you etc, but men tend to be a bit squeamish about making love to a heavily pregnant woman.
Its not a lack of love or not fancying you or anything as ordinary and explicable as that.
What concerns us (and I know it’s irrational and a biological impossibility) is bashing the baby on the head or worse still feeling a hand grab.
I know I know, but it is a worry.
Shortly after the sex goddess, earth mother stage, the waddle walk and back aches remind you of the work yet to come.
You then have the act of giving birth which I have been told can sting a bit.
It is at that moment, when you are probably at the most exhausted, mentally and physically that you have ever been, you have to begin to bond with, nurture, protect and nourish and infant.
Some mystical hidden reserve comes to the fore and you manage this super human feat, only for a few years later to go through the second stage of a mothers pain.
This is when your child tells you that you that it no longer needs your warm, careful nurturing love and that you have become an embarrassment and that you know nothing and understand nothing.
This occurs these days when the child is about 12.
You will continue to provide free 5 star hotel services to your child until you have to go through the third mothers pain, the dreaded empty nest syndrome, which is the day when they flap their metaphorical wings that little bit harder and move in with the person that they have chosen to replace you with.
It is about this time that you start finding it difficult to know what to wear when you go out as one minute you feel fine, and the next you are having hot flushes, followed by irrational mood swings, which signals the start of the menopause.
This as far as I can tell is like a period but in reverse.
(It should be noted at this stage that with many men, if you could convert what they know about the menstrual cycle into air pressure, they wouldn’t have enough to pump up one of the tyres.)
The menopause sometimes coincides with you starting to wear purple and buying those strange looking hand made leather shoes and felt hats or taking up bungee jumping, or in few cases looking at your partner wondering how the woman you once were with the all the potential you had (and still have) ended up with that dullard.
But once the change is complete and you come out the other end you know you have done it.
You have cracked it you have come the full circle in the cycle of a woman and emerged then other end, miraculously in one piece, and hopefully still sane enough to get on with enjoying the rest of your life safe in the knowledge of a job well done.
But just when you thought that it was all over and you had done your bit, nature has one more vicious trick up its sleeve for you.
A beard.
Unwanted facial hair sprouting out all over the place leaving you to question if there no bloody end to what a woman must endure in her life before she can just relax back and enjoy it .
This is why I say that as much as enjoy your company and can only marvel at your resilience to the trials that life puts you through, you definitely get the rough end of the deal when it comes to the physicality required to be a human.
Respect.
Cheers
Bentley
Date & Time 11-01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8 )
Position:- 0* 39.3’ S 107* 19’.1 E
Course:- 310*
Speed:- 4.6 Knots
Wind:- WNW 18 Knots (Force 5 Strong Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (up 8 feet waves with underlying swell, white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Occasional monsoon squalls.
Temp 79F
Distance to go:- 273 nautical miles
South China Sea
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/71033.shtml
We are just below the wreck mark that is juust below the O of South China Sea
The wind has increased a little and although the sea stil has some fetch to it conditions are a little better and we are making over 4.5 knots This brings our ETA forward to noon on the 13th
The motion of the vessel is little improved with just the periodic slap of the odd larger wave
The music today is from a great songwriter called Lucinda Williams
First one upbeat and second one melancholy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-5GifxO_h0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fT0MDQKew0&feature=related
Love and Peace
Bentley
Position:- 01* 47’.5 S 108* 38’.5 E
Course:- 310*
Speed:- 3.6 Knots
Wind:- WNW 15 Knots (Force 5 Strong Breeze)
Sea State:- Mod to Rough (up 12 feet Large wages with steep faces, some breaking waves with white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Squally conditions with occasional driving rain
Distance to go:- 375 nautical miles
Date & Time 09-01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8 )
Position:- 032* 34’.4 S 109* 24’.7 E
Course:- 315*
Speed:- 3.4 Knots
Wind:- WNW 28 Knots (Force 7 Moderate Gale)
Sea State:- Rough (8 to 12 feet, Large wages with steep faces, some breaking waves with white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Squally conditions with occasional driving rain
Temp 80F
Distance to go:- 446 nautical miles
Natuna Sea.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/71033.shtml
We are 45 miles SW of the island Palau Karimata and will be transiting between Kerang Ontario and Palau Serutu lights. Above the middle and just to the right of the chart.
Weather conditions have remained as a moderate gale for the last 24 hours with regular squalls, meaning the seas are remaining fairly rough.
The motion of the vessel is still uncomfortable with the repeated slamming of our blunt bow into the oncoming seas and we remain at the reduced speed of under 4 knots
The good news is that I managed to get 40 minutes bronzy walk on the heli-deck yesterday afternoon. Hurraaah.
In Europe now at about 7C, if you went out for a walk in 28 miles an hour of wind, any area of flesh not covered would be stinging with the cold in a few short minutes, your lips would be dried to a crisp and start peeling even with the application of a tube of lip salve, and you would describe the experience as ‘bracing’ ‘brisk’ or brass monkey weather.
Walking in a tropical wind is best described as delicious, you still suffer the same amount of buffeting as cold wind but it leaves you feeling like you are rolling in massive, warm, soft feather duvet, as opposed to having cold gravel thrown at you.
The music today was an easy choice as the Thin White Duke can now start to draw his pension.
How cool can one bloke be?
Here are three manifestations of great song writing and even greater cool in chronological order
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxKu7ggU3HU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1fcpCrRJ34&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNw1ZPzqP9Q
Love and Peace
Bentley
The Green Flash at Sunset
Date & Time 08-01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8 )
Position:- 03* 47’.4 S 109* 55’.7 E
Course:- 335*
Speed:- 3.7 Knots
Wind:- WNW 28 Knots (Force 7 Moderatre Gale)
Sea State:- Rough (8 to 12 feet, Large wages with steep faces, some breaking waves with white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Squally conditions with occasional driving rain
Temp 79F
Distance to go:- 523 nautical miles
Natuna Sea.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/71033.shtml
We are 45 miles SW of Tanjung Sambar
Weather conditions have continued as much of a muchness over the lasty 24 hours with the strongest squallm being 48 knots, so the seas have not abated an.
We are expecting more of the same for the next 24 hours and we haven’t seen the sun in over three days now.
The motion of the vessel is still uncomfortable with the repeated slamming of our blunt bow into the oncoming seas and we remain at the reduced speed of under 4 knots
The music today is another “wonderbra tune” ie uplifting.
Always makes me smile when I hear it and have a go at joining in with the chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFr_ARmnlk0&feature=related
While I was finding the track I came across this solo acoustic version which I think is amazing.
It reminds me of when we ran our bar the vast number of incredibly talented “bedroom” players that were out there just waiting to shine if someone gave them a stage.
Position:- 04* 21’.5 S 110* 48’.5 E
Course:- 270*
Speed:- 3.4 Knots
Wind:- WNW 17 Knots (Force 5 Fresh Breeze)
Sea State:- Rough (8 to 12 feet, Large wages with steep faces, some breaking waves with white horses prevalent)
Weather:- Squally conditions with driving rain
Distance to go:- 593 nautical miles
See what you think
Whale snot
Date & Time 06-01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8 )
Position:- 05* 05’.6 S 113* 38’.6 E
Course:- 289*
Speed:- 3.8 Knots
Wind:- SW 30 Knots (Force 7 Moderate Gale)
Sea State:- Moderate (5 to 8 feet, Large wages forming with white horses starting to form streaks on the water)
Weather:- Squally conditions with driving rain
Temp 79F
Distance to go:- 665 nautical miles
Java Sea.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/71033.shtml
We are south of Tanjung Putting point, on the far east of the chart.
Weather conditions have deteriorated considerably I the last 12 hours against the forecast as one squall after another with little respite between them has had the effect of heaping the sea up into a vicious short but steep swell. It is a steady 30 knots now with gusts up to 45. The rain is torrential and practically horizontal.
The motion is an uncomfortable slamming every few minutes as one of the steep swells crashes into our blunt bow, which leaves a juddering bounce for a few seconds after each one. A normal shaped ship would pop through this without hardly noticing however we are not a normal shaped vessel. Such is the way the mop flops.
The music today is two tracks from one of my favourite albums. In 1996 a regular in our bar (The Cavity in Bridport) bought me down this tape and said, I think you may like this.
Rarely on first listening to an album in a foreign language have I ever been so enchanted.
If it is not in your collection may I entreat you to remedy that as soon as you are able.
The DVD that accompanies it is an amazing documentary (with full footage of each song) of how the album was made with these forgotten but beautiful, dignified, elegant old people. It makes your heart soar.
I haven’t posted a track with Rubens Gonzalez playing piano as I will leave that wonderful discovery for yourselves to make
Strange Skies
I don’t know what genre this comes under but I think it’s a wonderful track by Saint Germain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHvwIwlrGHk
St Elmos Fire is a strange one and I have experienced it a few times.
It creates an eerie sensation, the sort to get the hairs on the back of your hands standing on end, but that’s as much to do with the electricity as anything else.
I had been told what to expect if atmospheric conditions were right, but it was still an awesome sight for the first time to see what appeared to be blue flames coming off the sharp fittings on the bridge wing (as well as the mast being aglow on the monkey island).
With the wild recklessness of an immortal teenager I wondered if I could get it to come off the ends of my fingers, so I venture out opntpo the bridge wing and I am stood with my arms outstretched towards the sky trying to get some flaming finger action.
The best I could managed was a blue glow around each finger end which, although unusual in its own right, was a tad disappointing.
Upping the ante a little, I took my deck knife out and held that up and suddenly I was in the blue flame business with a pronounced flame coming off the end of my knife. I also had a smaller flame coming from the collar zip of my thermal oilskin.
Once I was out there and “live” so to speak, with blue flames sprouting out of something I was wearing and holding, and probably saying something like “Far out man” the Second Mate, from the safety of the bridge, suggested that standing out in an electrically charged atmosphere (St Elmos often occurs around thunder and lightening storms) whilst holding my arms aloft, with what was in effect ‘a lightening conductor’ held in my hand, had all the hallmarks of an elaborate suicide attempt or was a sure sign that he was sharing a watch with a f**kwit.
Listening to his words I realised he was making a very valid point and quickly became less brave (foolhardy or f**kwitted) and ventured back into the ‘Faraday caged@ safety of the bridge.
The second mate proceeded to fall across the chart table, clutching his chest with one hand and pointing at me with the other, whilst gasping for breath in between raucous, bellowing, guffaws of laughter.
A quick inspection of my reflection in the window had me joining in with him, because my hair and beard (both quite long in those days) was set up on end all around me like some bizarre hirsute halo up to 18 inches out from my head.
There have a been a few St Elmo instances since then but I tend to stay in the bridge now and watch from a safe distance.
The first time I saw the Aurora Borealis was on a passage from
http://www.picturesofcities.info/map-city/Archangel/2343751/
It was one of those open mouthed, staring and pointing moments, as great swathes of the starlight night sky shimmered and undulated like gossamer curtains in all shades of red purple and green.
This might sound strange but, as beautiful and awe inspiring as it was, there was a sense of something missing.
I realise that it was synthesiser music that I expected to hear and the whole thing was silent and just looked like it shouldn’t be.
It looked like a light show that should accompany a Jean Michelle Jarre or Tangerine Dream live show and it was the lack music that I noticed first.
This shows it up pretty well and although time lapse photography and a bit one coloured it still gives a good idea of the scale of it. (and there is no music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcfWsj9OnsI
Tales of whales tomorrow
Love and Peace
Bentley
Date & Time 05-01-2012
0000hrs (GMT +8)
Position:- 05* 05’.6 S 113* 38’.6 E
Course:- 289*
Speed:- 5.7 Knots
Wind:- W by N 19 Knots (Force 5 Fresh Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (3 to 5 feet, Waves starting to form and elongate with occasional white horses)
Weather:- Overcast (total cloud cover)
Temp 81F
Distance to go:- 777 nautical miles
Java Sea.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/72021.shtml
We are NNE of Palau Bawean island towards the western edge of the chart
Weather conditions continue to hover on the edge of turning uncomfortable but the forcast is still amiable.
We are experiencing some hefty squalls up to 40 knots but they are short lived so the sea doesn’t get chance to build any weight to it.
The music today is a track I haven’t heard for years and with this talk of dancing reminded me how good it was. It will probably get your foot tapping or hips swinging.
Voyage up date
Position:- 05* 45’.8 S 115* 31’ E
Course:- 294*
Speed:- 5.1 Knots
Wind:- WNW 17 Knots (Force 5 Fresh Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (3 to 5 feet, Waves starting to form and elongate with occasional white horses)
Weather:- Part Cloudy (up to 5/8ths cloud cover)
Temp 81F
Distance to go:- 903 nautical miles
Albatross
Date & Time 03-01-2012 0000hrs (GMT +8)
Position:- 06* 32’.8 S 117* 20’.9 E
Course:- 294*
Speed:- 5 Knots
Wind:- WNW 15 Knots (Force 5 Fresh Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (3 to 5 feet, Waves starting to form and elongate with occasional white horses)
Weather:- Part Cloudy (up to 5/8ths cloud cover)
Temp 82F
Distance to go:- 1021 nautical miles
Western Edge of the Flores Sea.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/72021.shtml
On the chart we 120 miles north of Lombok island and heading for the protection that the land ,mass of Borneo may affords us.
A slight lessening of sea conditions during the day but as it was raining in the afternoon no chance of my bronzy stroll.
Not much else to report to day as we slowly but surely devour the miles ot our destination.
The two bits of music today come from a modern poet of our times.
(There is swearing in both these tunes so if likely to be offended please don’t open the links.)
The first is of how an unhinged fans obsession can have terrible consequences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FN9Ire8K7c&feature=related
The second is the outpouring of the pain that bad parenting can leave and is a harrowing tale so be prepared for the hard hitting and brutal honesty to portrayed in the lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zmBgEwFcWM
(ps My mum and dad were fine, there is nothing autobiographical from me in choosing the second tune. I just appreciate powerful writing and a well put together powerful track)
Cheers
Bentley
Date & Time 02-01-2012 0000hrs (GMT +8)
Position:- 07* 32’.5 S 119* 17’.6 E
Course:- 299*
Speed:- 5 Knots
Wind:- WNW 20 Knots (Force 5 Fresh Breeze)
Sea State:- Moderate (3 to 5 feet, Waves starting to form and elongate with occasional white horses)
Weather:- Part Cloudy (up to 5/8ths cloud cover)
Temp 81F
Distance to go:- 1138 nautical miles
Western Edge of the Flores Sea.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/NGAViewer/72021.shtml
On the chart we are just by the “F” where it says Flores Sea and we are making our way further to the north (298*) to try and gain some protection from the land mass of Boreno as the Java Sea can kick up a fuss in the NW monsoon season.
Our course will take us between the reefs marked by the lights of Pelokang and Sarege.
The sea has picked up again to moderate after a day of 20 knot winds but they are not causing us any problems, with just an occasional gentle slap and a bit of bouncing (much like sex can sometimes be) and the forecast is for it to fall away again tomorrow.
No bronzy time yesterday as a steady monsoon rain fell throughout the day.
The music today is a great track and when it starts I have always felt it has the feel of an “Olde English” folk tune from the Robin Hood era about it for me .
It soon changes and to be honest is about as close to traditional folk music as I ever want to get.
And that voice is still a great rock voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utCbO_xxHMI&feature=related
Down Then Up on New Year’s Eve
I sat myself down and turned the key and she immediately burst back into a phut phut free, reassuring gentle throb.
It was with a heart that glowed with the privilege of being on the receiving end of such a friendly gesture that I said my goodbyes and walked back to the main road and stuck out my thumb heading back to