Crew Reports

We did a morning hike today. What a glorious morning it was. The trail was green, mossy, lush. It opened up to a beautiful little lake that looks like we should be able to see moose foraging along the shore. The forest and marsh rolling up to the lake have an ancient visage. Prehistoric.

Mick was tempted to swim in the lake, but opted to swim from the boat instead. The lake would have been fine, a little brackish perhaps. The harbour was colder and saltier, but clearer. Mick and Bek went for a swim. In that order it was either "not so bad, you get used to it" or "Oh my God. This is cold!"

Yoshi and I cleaned ourselves out of a bucket. With warm water. Clean hair, clean face and clean arm pits. That'll do until we can take showers in four days.

After our rinse, Yoshi whipped up a little leftover lunch, we pulled anchor and were on our way. Five miles to the next stop: Susan Islets.

On the chart they're abbreviated "SUSAN ITS." I find that curious. Was not abbreviating islets an option? It's not like "SUSAN ISLETS" is very long. Or do they abbreviate as a way of subordinating the word to the name? A quick chart perusal reveals that PT, RK, and ITS (point, rock, and islets) are always abbreviated. ISLAND, BAY, and INLET never are.

I'm going to guess that all of the above are part of the chart's vocabulary. Whereas inlet, islet, and even ISLET are not. ITS is the only word the cartographers will ever use to indicate islets on a nautical chart.

We found one other boat tucked in behind these ITS, a catamaran.

Mick is making Rigatoni Bolognese for dinner tonight.

Bek reports that bar soap and sea water don't clean hair well. Shampoo is better.

Yoshi says he finds my work experience interesting.

Mick reports that the rigatoni bolognese is coming along very well and, being Irish, he can't guarantee there won't be potatoes involved.

And the captain reports we are down to our last pie. I haven't told the crew this yet, but we'll have to start strict pie rationing soon. I may have to resort to subterfuge and guile to survive the inevitable mutiny.