...and I really have been working like a dog!
I’m writing this from Ko Lanta, where I am staying overnight – I just needed another night in a proper bed, with a shower and, most importantly of all – somewhere where I can walk more than 3 steps without doing myself an injury!
I’m staying at the house of a friend of Mark the Skipper – he lives in Lanta Old Town, in a house that’s built on stilts over the sea. I’m looking out over the sea as I type this, AND he’s cooking me pizza for dinner.
So, the boys left us to return to Hong Kong, leaving Mark and I for week 2, where I attempt to learn how to actually take CHARGE of a yacht.
Oh dear.
As it’s just the 2 of us, you’d think that it would be a great opportunity to get some really good, 1:1 tuition.
Oh No.
What it ACTUALLY means, is that I have to do LOTS MORE WORK. This is not a Good Thing. Whilst last week, at times, I could for example spend half an hour dangling my legs over the side, catching a few rays, this week I’m either helming, navigating, pulling on ropes or washing up.
And I’ve PAID for this?!
So having rejoined the yacht at Langkawi on Tuesday lunchtime, Mark set me to work scrubbing the deck whilst he did some shopping (I mean, seriously, I don’t even clean my own house, and shopping is one of my great skills)
We set off about 2 for a 4-5 hour sail back up to Tarutao. It was a boiling hot day, and at about 5.30, just as the sun was setting, we saw some rain clouds gathering. ‘OK’ I thought to myself ‘some rain might be nice to freshen the place up.’
At that point, I could literally feel all the ions in the air zinging about, and I got a real headache that suddenly came on. Yep, you’ve guessed it, we sailed right into a thunderstorm.
Now I know all the rules – don’t sit under any tall things, and stay away from metal.
BUT HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO THAT IN A BOAT?!?!?!?!?!
So there I am, in my bikini and shorts, with Mark’s spare bright yellow raincoat over the top, looking like about 20 buckets of water had been chucked over my head. ‘Keep a look out for any other boats’ Mark yelled at me.
Hilarious.
It would have been a simple instruction had a) we been able to see beyond the front of the boat b) I been able to open my eyes without a gallon of water in my contact lenses and c) it not been pitch black.
So we now have the thunder crashing and rolling, and the lightning briefly showing us how near or far we were from land/rocks/imminent disaster. Thunder and Lightning at the same time ‘Ooh it’s right above us’ says Mark.
I KNOW THAT THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I DON’T NEED REMINDING!!
Anyway, we survived the storm, and I now have my first Salty Sea Dog story to regale over some rum, like the true sailor wot I am.
Yesterday was a super long sail – we did 10 hours sailing and covered 50 miles, which is officially ‘A Lot’
Especially as the auto-pilot broke. Sigh.
The novelty of helming has worn off significantly now, especially as, whereas Mark can operate the tiller with his foot, and therefore sit down, I have to use most of my bodyweight to steer, and therefore have to stand up.
Added to that, I am now in sole charge of navigation, which I quite enjoy (cos Maths is FUN – right Julie & Chris?!), but it does mean I’m busy ALL THE TIME, like for TEN HOURS.
Which means I’m a tired bunny. In fact, I went to bed at 8.30 last night. Oh the shame.
And I admit it, I’m still a bit of a fairweather sailor – To me, a good day means: lots of sunshine and about 12 knots of wind, right on the beam. To Mark, a good day means: sod the sunshine, it’s all about the wind. I wonder if I’ll ever be like that?!
So, yesterday was a good day in Mark’s eyes – we had some really good sailing – (which I agree with, some 20 knot winds and boat speeds of 7.2 knots – read it and WEEP James & Todd!) but it RAINED. On and off, all day.
(I can already sense Jules going into a flat spin: ‘Rain?! You said it was the END of the rainy season!’)
So, meteorological fans, what we have here is the end of the South West Monsoon (the rainy season) and the start of the North East Monsoon (the dry season). The wind has already changed to being North Easterly, so the dry season is on the cusp of winning the Battle of the Winds, but the South West wind is throwing a few tantrums (i.e. rain showers) our way. Which is a bit pants really.
Since James & Todd left, we’ve sailed 85 miles in 2 days, so we’re already nearly back to Phuket. We may do a bit of a potter Oop North for an explore.
I could do with a bit more practice at mooring (I was always rubbish at parking), but I think I’ve got navigating, sail setting & trimming and of course, helming, down to a fine art.
So, anyone fancy a flotilla in Greece in the summer?!
