It looks like my new friend the pilot fish has decided to stick around. I tried to take a photograph of him today, but as you can tell, had very limited success. Between the fast to-ings and fro-ings of the fish, and the slow reactions of my camera, he was usually out of frame by the time the shutter fired.
He seems like a curious little chap, interested in anything that gets dangled overboard, like my food mug as I wash it up, or the camera. He looks like one of those stripey sweets (don’t know if they have them in the States) called humbugs, so I think I’m going to call him Humbug. If a fish can be a bug.
There was another, much bigger, creature within ten yards of my boat today. The ocean was dead calm and still all day, with not a breath of wind, so it seemed all the louder when there was a sudden whoosh and a fast-moving Something barely broke the surface, leaving a trail about six feet long. I can’t even guess at what it might have been.
It was hot, hard work at the oars, but I still made good progress. I’m aching, especially my hands and forearms, but it’s nice to finally make some miles. The strong adverse winds that were forecast for the next few days have now been downgraded to more moderate strengths, so we shall see what happens.
I’m rather proud of my accomplishments over the last 3 days, with mileages of 46, 43 and 44 nautical miles respectively. Let’s hope this isn’t a case of pride coming before a fall.
Other Stuff:
Joan – excellent job as casting director. Kate Winslet is great (although too pretty to be me!), as is Helen Mirren. Good call!
Margaret – oh believe me, I do my fair share of yelling at the ocean. When it gives me a big splash at an inopportune moment I absolutely let rip, and it immediately gets all that stress out of my system. Gives me a sore throat, though!
Bruce – thanks for the excellent info on cornstarch bags. We’re still looking for signatures for our plastic-bag-free Olympics campaign – Greener upon Thames.
“Wishing a fabulously Happy 60th Birthday to Marian Binnie this weekend. Maz, I only wish I could be there to party with you, because I have no doubt that you will be celebrating in style, involving gallons of champagne! Have a fab one, and I hope we get to have a belated celebration the next time I see you. Much love.”
Sponsored Miles:
Doug Grandt, Hans Verwey, John Kay. (More than one mile sponsored by kind friends.)
