Pacific Odyssey - Leg 2

It was a cloudier day, with regular bouts of rain, a nice change from the intensity of the sun. A small squall came through during the night with the jib being lowered and raised several times as squalls often come with an increase in wind.  It rained during the night as well. During Karen´s 1800-1200 watch there were several showers strong and long enough to soap and rinse in, although Karen and the trainees had to wait, shivering, and covered in soap before they could rinse, as one shower stopped and continued 10 minutes later. It´s a wonderful feeling to just stand in the rain and let yourself get soaked; it´s fresh water, something that feels so good after deck buckets of salt water. There were more activities happening below decks. Jeremy taught the Juniors Rules of the Road and this evening there was a large game of Apples to Apples.  We celebrated Sara´s birthday today. She was given a beautiful handmade by Karen card, signed by all trainees and crew. Carolyn and Elske baked double chocolate chip mint cookies instead of cake as the oven is so heeled over, the cake tends to bake thin and hard on one side, tall and soft on the other side.  The cookies were delicious. The evening air is very comfortable and many of us stay out as long as we can, in our harnesses, clipped in to the safety line in the stern. The conversations I´ve been a part of today are such a big part of my day; sometimes it´s the main thing I do in a day, besides check on the kids who are very happy and having fun with trainees. Josh started The Bourne Supremacy yesterday and has nearly finished it. Today more chatting than reading was happening and once again, a lot of laughing around the tables at mealtimes. The jib was lowered again this evening as the wind strengthened and at points we were making up to 7.7kts. The wind changes regularly though, although the heel on the ship remains quite steep. Eating in the foc´sle is quite an experience. Today we had soup and it was absolutely necessary to only half fill the bowls and to keep them in one´s hand, as otherwise spillage would occur. The juice jug slipped off the edge, it happens quickly; we are forced to learn fast. Arielle led yoga stretches after supper on the after deck and on the after cabin
house. Jen, Jose, Sam, Darcy, Rob, Sara, Tav and Simon all took
part. Tonight Darcy spent his time on the wheel conning Simon to
stay on course. Trainees have incredible patience with the younger kids; both sides seem to be growing in the exchange. I will finish with the remainder of Arielle´s account of night watch from her journal: "As the large rolling waves approach the port side of the ship, they resemble large mythical creatures. They are dark navy blue with the occasional shiny patch on the ripples. The Pacific Grace slips over them and rolls down the other side. The phosphorescence in the waves look like reflections of stars, or maybe they are. I take my turn at the wheel, keeping a compass heading of 140 degrees. Behind us a faint glow can be seen on a patch of the
horizon. It is the lights of Honolulu reflecting off the clouds. We
had left Oahu that day after noon. It will be about two weeks before
we see land again. Until then we will be under sail day and night
keeping company with the waves." This is it, until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.