Feeling better

posted in: Highlights, Medical, Offshores 4

So Allie has stopped barfing and we all are getting used to the beating. Seasickness does have a 36 hour window. It helped to realize that we just cannot sleep without running the generator for air conditioning. If Greg can complete his electrical work once we are on land, we can run the aircon off of our Lithium Ion batteries instead. That is HUGE.
Our watermaker has been working well, making 14 gallons/hr for us. Mel still takes “Navy showers” however, mainly because showers are difficult as our shower is in the bow and it is always slamming up and down. She sustained the only real injury so far in the shower when she dropped the showerhead on her foot and got a subungual hematoma. That is fancy doctor talk for “bruised toenail.” Now she is afraid to shower…
With the sweat, diesel, salt air, crap in the bilge, and cat pee, things smell pretty ripe around here. Of course, as a neurologist, Mel doesn’t mind the smells, as that means she can smell and has a low chance of getting dementia or Parkinson’s anytime soon. These are the things you think about on night watch before the moon comes up.
The most recent broken things include a hinge on a medicine cabinet and the seal around our forward cockpit drain. This was revealed by 2 inches of seawater floating around in a little cubby under Mel’s bathroom sink. This is no big deal, apparently. So much for “dry storage.” Rinsing seawater off of extra razors and soaps is no fun. Even less fun is being inside Mel’s crazy mind at night. This boat makes so many creaks and booms with normal operation, she often has to get out of her bed and go outside to reassure herself the boat is in one piece. Of course, the bewilderment on NCR (Noble Captain Richard) ‘s face when Mel suggests the boat is going to tear into smithereens is very reassuring as well. “What? These boats are made for this stuff.” Well, Mel is not. But she can get used to anything.
Greg, of course, is getting more comfortable with things every day. This means he messes with the sails and autopilot a lot, sometimes to NCR’s chagrin. Mel frequently hears the winches going over her head as she tries to sleep when he is on watch. How rude! 😉
In less than 24 hours now we will turn the corner around the eastern edge of Cuba and will have smoother sailing. Cuba really should build a canal through itself. Jamaica, here we come!

4 Responses

  1. Elana
    | Reply

    You are HILARIOUS!!!! I haven’t looked around this site enough to know whether you have posted your direct course and timings of said course.. send me a link or tell me your plans so S and I can potentially plan a trip to some place!

  2. Eric Abraham
    | Reply

    Great to hear about the progress!

  3. Robert
    | Reply

    Mel, I I enjoy reading your posts ALOT! Awesome narrative. Wish I could be there.

  4. Steve Pake
    | Reply

    Totally awesome that you guys are underway. Wow, rounding Cuba and heading for Jamaica! So exciting! Well at least it is to be spectating. You’re Debbie’s hero, although she could never do this. Sea sickness would kill her. She can’t even go on a dolphin spotting cruise without getting sick for days, and even mentioning a Disney cruise (big boat!) gets a big frowny face from her.

    Anyhow, here’s to clear skies and smoother seas ahead. Thought of writing a memoir yet? This is definitely book worthy! Hope you’re keeping a good journal and taking lots of photos.

    -Steve & Debbie

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